Phone: (906) 343-6535 | Fax: (906) 343-6550 | Email: onotatwp@tds.net
Welcome to
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Onota Township
Centrally located in the Upper Peninsula, we're a place of natural beauty, rich local heritage, scenic landscapes and friendly residents – a special place to live and visit.
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Public Notices
- Dumpster Roll Off -
Roll off for 2025 will be on:
Friday September 26 and Saturday September 27 from 10am to 4pm.
Short Term Rental Notice
By recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Board made a motion to put an immediate moratorium on short term rentals effective immediately (7/10/2025) for 12 months or until the Planning Commission ordinances are adopted by the Board.
See the July 10th Special Meeting Minutes here.
Fire Fighters Wanted
The Onota Township Fire Department is welcoming anyone interested in joining the volunteer Fire Department. If you are interested, please contact Patrick Carey for more information.
Onota Historical Society
Public is invited for anyone who may be interested in joining or contributing to the newly formed Onota Historical Society. Normal meetings are held the 3rd Monday each month at 6:00 pm at the townhall.
Monthly Meeting Schedules
TOWNSHIP BOARD:
1st Monday of each month; 7:00 pm
PLANNING COMMISSION:
2nd Tuesday of each month; 7:00 pm
Township Hall Rental
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The Onota Township Hall is available for rent by township residents. It has a newly remodeled kitchen available for use. There is currently no fee. You must provide a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy for safety & liability reasons. Contact the clerk for availability, details, rules, and a lease form.
There are five distinct areas within the township from east to west – Rock River, Shelter Bay, Onota, Deerton, and Sand River. A number of small businesses are in the township, mainly recreational and service-oriented. Area information is in the Master Plan.
The AuTrain-Onota School in Deerton teaches students pre-K-8. The school is respected in the area. Students from outside the district often enroll. Older students attend Superior Central, Munising, and Marquette schools.
Onota Township lies along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), with an area of 92 square miles (30% is within the Hiawatha National Forest). The population (2015) was 336, with 43% as year-round residents.
Onota Township has a rich history in producing lumber for buildings as well as charcoal manufacturing (for smelting iron ore). Early on, Scandinavians settled in the area to work and homestead. Read about the area history.