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Dearborn Overview
Dearborn, MI Code of Ordinances
CITY OF DEARBORN, MICHIGAN CODE OF ORDINANCES
ZONING ORDINANCE
OFFICIALS 2024
SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE
ARTICLE 1.00 - SHORT TITLE, RULES OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE 2.00 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 3.00 - NONCONFORMITIES
ARTICLE 4.00 - OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS
ARTICLE 5.00 - LANDSCAPING
ARTICLE 6.00 - WALLS
ARTICLE 7.00 - SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SPECIFIC USES
ARTICLE 8.00 - PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
ARTICLE 9.00 - ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
ARTICLE 10.00 - R-A and R-B, ONE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS[1]
ARTICLE 11.00 - R-P, RESIDENTIAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT
ARTICLE 12.00 - R-C, R-D, AND R-E MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS[1]
ARTICLE 13.00 - O-S, BUSINESS OFFICE DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 14.00 - B-A, LOCAL BUSINESS DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 15.00 - B-B, COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 16.00 - B-C, GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 17.00 - B-D, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT
ARTICLE 18.00 - I-A, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 19.00 - I-B, MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 20.00 - I-C, INTENSIVE INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 21.00 - I-D, GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 22.00 - T-R, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 23.00 - PUD, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT MIXED USE DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 24.00 - FP, FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 25.00 - VP, VEHICULAR PARKING DISTRICT[1]
ARTICLE 26.00 - VPD, VEHICULAR PARKING DISTRICT - CLASS A AUTO DEALER
ARTICLE 27.00 - WEST DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
ARTICLE 29.00 - SCHEDULE OF REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 32.00 - GENERAL PROCEDURES AND RELATED STANDARDS
ARTICLE 33.00 - ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
ARTICLE 35.00 - SEVERABILITY, REPEAL, EFFECTIVE DATE, ADOPTION
TABLE OF ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
ARTICLE 11.00 - R-P, RESIDENTIAL PRESERVATION DISTRICT
Sec. 11.01. - Statement of purpose.
   The intent of the RP, Residential Preservation District is to permit the construction or conversion of structures for combined office and residential use, provided that the residential character of the structure and the parcel is maintained. This district may serve as a transition between neighborhood commercial centers and the surrounding residential uses.
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 11.01, 2-2-1993; Ord. No. 04-1018, 9-21-2004)
Sec. 11.02. - Permitted uses and structures.
   A.   Principal uses and structures. In all areas zoned R-P, no building shall be erected, used, or structurally altered, nor shall the land or premises be used in whole or in part, except for one or more of the following principal permitted uses:
      1.   Office of civic, professional, religious or charitable organizations.
      2.   Office of an accountant, architect, artist, attorney, doctor or dentist.
      3.   An insurance agency.
      4.   A real estate office.
      5.   A public park or playground.
      6.   Any other use that, according to the city planner, is similar to the above.
      7.   Low-impact retail that would be harmonious with and support the neighborhood.
      8.   A bed and breakfast.
      9.   Family day care homes.
      10.   Residential uses as permitted in residential districts.
   B.   Special land uses. The following uses may be permitted in an R-P District, subject to the conditions specified for each use, review and approval of the site plan, any special conditions imposed during the course of review, and the provisions set forth in Article 32.00.
      1.   Public, parochial, and other private elementary, intermediate, or high schools licensed by the state to offer courses in general education.
      2.   Group day care homes, and childcare centers, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02G.
      3.   Religious institutions, subject to the provisions in Section 7.02R.
      4.   Private swimming pools and swimming pool clubs.
      5.   Private noncommercial recreational facilities, such as a subdivision or neighborhood center, a nonprofit swimming pool club, or similar facility.
      6.   Community buildings, including education, social, neighborhood, or community centers, but not a residential club operated as a commercial enterprise.
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 11.02, 2-2-1993; Ord. No. 04-1018, 9-21-2004; Ord. No. 14-1419, 2-11-2014)
Sec. 11.03. - Development standards.
   A.   Dimensional standards. 
      1.   Front yard setback. Same as R-A or as exists.
      2.   Side yard setback. Same as R-A or as exists.
      3.   Rear yard setback. Same as R-A or as exists.
      4.   Height. Same as R-A or as exists.
      5.   Coverage. Same as R-A or as exists.
   B.   Signs. One (1) flat, wall-mounted, nonilluminated sign of a maximum of four (4) square feet is permitted or one (1) post sign as approved by the Downtown Business District Design Review Committee (DBDDRC).
   C.   Exterior building restrictions. 
      1.   Existing residential structures. Retain the existing residential facade; in addition to site plan review and approval by the city planner, modifications requiring a building permit will also require review and approval by the DBDDRC.
      2.   Existing nonresidential structures and new construction. In keeping with the architectural character of the neighborhood; in addition to site plan review and approval by the city planner, DBDDRC review and approval is required.
      3.   Historic District Commission review. If the structure is historically or architecturally significant as determined by the Historic District Commission, or if new construction is in a designated historic district, in addition to the standard review, review and approval will be required by both the Historic District Commission, consistent with Section 2-481 of the City of Dearborn Code of Ordinances, and the DBDDRC.
   D.   Preservation of residential character.   
      1.   Commercial uses in existing buildings. Exterior alterations that change the residential character or appearance of the dwelling, any accessory building or the zoning lot, shall be reviewed and approved by the DBDDRC where the property was originally designed for residential purposes.
      2.   New construction of commercial use. All new construction shall be compatible with the scale and character of the surroundings; exterior building materials shall be harmonious with other buildings in the neighborhood.
      3.   Prohibition. The combination of more than two (2) platted lots is prohibited, except for solely residential uses.
      4.   Office uses. Office uses are limited to a maximum gross floor area of four thousand five hundred (4,500) square feet.
      5.   Medical clinics. Medical clinics are limited to a maximum gross floor area of two thousand (2,000) square feet.
      6.   Structures and flatwork. Maximum lot coverage for structures and flatwork shall not exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the lot.
      7.   Parking. Parking shall be developed with landscaped screening so that there is no visual impact from the parking area to adjacent properties. Any boundary fencing must be decorative/ornamental.
      8.   Manufacturing. Manufacturing of products for wholesale distribution off of the premises in not permitted.
      9.   Enclosed buildings. All business, services, or processing, except off-street parking and loading, shall be conducted within a complete enclosed building, unless otherwise specifically permitted.
      10.   Outside storage. There shall be not outside storage of any goods, inventory, or equipment.
      11.   Warehousing and indoor storage. Warehousing and/or indoor storage of goods or material, beyond that normally incidental to the above permitted uses, shall be prohibited.
   E.   General development standards. Buildings and uses in the R-P District shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this Ordinance, including the following:
 
Article
Topic
General Provisions
Off-Street Parking.
Landscaping
Fences and Walls
Site Development Standards
Schedule of Regulations
 
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 11.03, 2-2-1993; Ord. No. 04-1018, 9-21-2004)