The Riviera of the Midwest - City of St. Joseph, Michigan

Live Here - St. Joseph is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed "The Riviera of the Midwest." This deepwater port town is a growing resort community – The lakeshore is peppered with remarkable sand dune formations and lined further inland with a lush countryside that produces some of the nation's finest orchards and vineyards.

Property Tax Bills
Summer tax bills are due July 1, but are payable through September 15 without penalty. Summer taxes not paid by September 15 are assessed a 4% penalty. Winter tax bills are due December 1, but are payable through February 14 without penalty. Winter taxes not paid by February 14 are assessed a 3% late fee.
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Water Bills
The Water Department Customer Service Office generates approximately 5,000 bills per month. In addition, they are responsible for processing payments, setting up new accounts, maintaining billing and payment records, arranging for final meter reads when service is terminated and arranging for shut-offs of delinquent accounts.
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Parking Tickets
Parking rules for the City of St. Joseph
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2009 Report on Lake Boulevard Bluff Evaluation
A study was conducted by Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. in mid-July, 2009. This evaluation consisted of the existing coastal bluff along Lake Boulevard between Park Street and Water Street. To read the report in its entirety, please click here.
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Work Here - St. Joseph has become well known for its beautiful location along Lake Michigan, its quality public school system, its health care system, its beaches, parks, and other natural amenities. The presence of many large corporations causes the city's population to triple during the average workday.

Chamber of Commerce
The City of St. Joseph is proud to affiliate itself with many different engines of economic development and growth. If you have any questions regarding the Chambers of Commerce in St. Joseph, please feel free to contact the City, and we will be glad to answer any questions.
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Licenses & Permits
The issuance of Licenses and Permits is typically a function of the Clerk's Office, the Inspections Department or the Public Safety Department. For more information regarding specific licenses or permits, please click on the links below.
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Start a Business
The City of St. Joseph encourages and supports the local business community. If you would like to start a business in St. Joseph, you may find our Chamber of Commerce page useful.
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Rental Property
All rental property registrations and inspections are managed by the Inspections Department. If you have any questions regarding Zoning or Planning in the City of St. Joseph please visit the Zoning Department's webpage. If you have still any further questions regarding rental property, please contact the Inspections Department using the contact information located on their webpage and we will be happy to address your concerns.
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Play Here - Looking for something fun to do? St. Joseph has it all with an abundance of parks and recreational facilities that cater to a variety of enthusiasts' tastes. Set out for an afternoon of fishing, laze on one of our many beaches, take a stroll along picturesque trails, or hit the skate park. Whatever you're after, you'll find it here.

John & Dede Howard Skate Park | Parks
The John and Dede Howard Skate Park is an in-line skating, skateboarding, and BMX biking facility. Complete with ramps, rails and half-pipes. Helmets are recommended.
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Recreational Programs
Recreational programs including the Summer Recreational Program and the Summer Tennis program are managed by the Parks Department. If you visit the Parks Department, you will find relevant forms for registration for and information about these programs.
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Plan My St. Joseph Wedding?
St. Joseph, known for its abundant natural resources and great picturesque landscapes, makes a wonderful place to get married. St. Joseph has been nationally acclaimed as "Michigan's Most Romantic City" by the Detroit Free Press and the "Riviera of the Midwest" by the Fine Living Channel.
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St. Joseph Today
The Welcome Center promotes tourism in the area.
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Government - St. Joseph's prosperity depends on each of its citizens taking an active role in making our town a special place on the lake. Find out more about what's going on with the City Commission, take a look at City Commission agendas, catch up on the latest City notices, announcements or ordinances, and view local election information.

Elections & Voting
Any United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election and who is a resident of the State of Michigan and the City of St. Joseph may register to vote in the City of St. Joseph by completing a Voter Registration Application.
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City Commission
The City Commission typically meets on alternating weeks on the second floor of City Hall.
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Code of Ordinances
This provides a link to all legislation received by Municipal Code since the last update (printed or electronic) to the Code of Ordinances. This legislation has been enacted, but has not yet been codified. Each piece of legislation, where applicable, is also linked to the portion of the Code that it affects.
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Boards & Commissions
Each year, the St. Joseph City Commission appoints citizens who express an interest in serving on the numerous boards, commissions and committees that are so vital in helping shape the future of the City of St. Joseph.

If you have a willingness to voluntarily serve your Community in this capacity and have a particular interest or knowledge in any of the following areas, you may wish to contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application to seek an appointment. Questionnaires are also available for those members seeking re-appointment to a City board, commission or committee.
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How Do I? – Browse a collection of questions people most frequently ask, from applying for a building permit to planning a wedding. If you don't find the answers your looking for, please let us know and we'll help point in in the right direction.

Contact someone for non-emergency issues?
Please call the Berrien County Dispatch at 269-926-2538 for a non-emergency issues or if you see suspicious activity.
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File
The File section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I file...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.
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Purchase
The Purchase section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I purchase...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains, please feel free to contact the City online or call the Clerk's Office at (269)-983-6325.
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Report
The Report section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I report...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.
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The Riviera of the Midwest

St. Joseph is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed "The Riviera of the Midwest." This deepwater port town is a growing resort community - part of a "small town" chain stretching from the state line in a spectacular arc along Lake Michigan. The lakeshore is peppered with remarkable sand dune formations and lined further inland with a lush countryside that produces some of the nation's finest orchards and vineyards. It is the largest non-citrus fruit growing region in the nation.

Two (2) Community Meetings to be held in St. Joseph

The information recently published in the City Connection, the City of St. Joseph's bi-monthly newsletter, was incorrect with regard to Community Meetings being held.

Summer Public Art "Beach Bugs" On Display

The City of St. Joseph is pleased to announce that the public art display, "Beach Bugs", has been kicked off and can be found along the sidewalks in downtown St. Joseph for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

Sewer Televising Update as of 9/22/2016

Sewer cleaning and televising is underway as part of the City’s SAW (Stormwater, Asset Management, and Wastewater) Grant work.

2015 Water Quality Report

The 2015 Water Quality Report has been for released. To read it, please click on it.

Press Release: City of St. Joseph Offers Pickleball

The City of St. Joseph is now offering open Pickleball at the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena. To view the 8-17-16 Press Release, please click here.