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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 17.00 - B-D, DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT
Sec. 17.01. - Statement of purpose.
   The intent of creating the B-D, Downtown Business District in the City is to provide for a list of land uses and a set of standards to guide the future growth and development of these areas. It is not the intent of this Article to change the existing zoning of any property within the boundaries of the B-D, Downtown Business District. Each parcel of land within the B-D, Downtown Business District shall adhere to the land uses permitted within its existing zoning classification. This ordinance does not eliminate the need for other permits or approvals required by other applicable laws, ordinances, or code provisions. However, properties within the boundaries of the B-D, Downtown Business District shall be subject to an overlay of principles and standards that are set forth in this Article in order to promote and enhance economic development. The following set of principles would be applied to designated B-D, Downtown Business Districts:
      1.   Protect, enhance and reinforce the adjacent residential.
      2.   Support existing merchants, business owners and property owners.
      3.   Create a pedestrian-friendly downtown district, with unified landscaping, paving, lighting and signage, which connects to the adjacent residential neighborhoods.
      4.   Provide traffic calming on major avenues while retaining their arterial function.
      5.   Provide ample, visible and accessible parking.
      6.   Provide flexible sites for new mixed-use development including retail, entertainment, cultural, office and residential uses.
      7.   Preserve the historic heritage of downtown and Dearborn.
      8.   Connect downtown to nearby visitor attractions and employment centers.
      9.   Create landmark gateway entrances to downtown along major avenues and along other arterial streets.
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 17.01, 2-2-1993)
Sec. 17.02. - Permitted uses and structures.
   A.   Principal uses and structures. In all areas designated as B-D, Downtown Business Districts, no building shall be erected, used, or structurally altered, nor shall land or premises be used in whole or in part, except for one (1) or more principal permitted uses in a B-A, Local Business District; B-B, Community Business District; and B-C, General Business District; O-S, Business Office District; and R-C, R-D, and R-E, Multiple Family Residential Districts.
   B.   Special Land Uses. In all areas designated as B-D, Downtown Business Districts, Special Land Uses may be permitted as specified in the B-A, Local Business District; B-B, Community Business District; B-C, General Business District and O-S, Business Office 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 7.00 and Article 32.00.
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 17.02, 2-2-1993; Ord. No. 04-996, 2-17-2004)
Sec. 17.03. - Development standards.
   A.   Required conditions. Unless otherwise noted, buildings and uses in the B-D, Downtown Business District shall comply with the following requirements:
      1.   All permitted retail or services establishments shall deal directly with customers. Manufacturing of products for wholesale distribution off of the premises is not permitted.
      2.   All business, services, or processing, except off-street parking and loading, shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, unless otherwise specifically permitted.
      3.   There shall be no outside storage of any goods, inventory, or equipment. Any storage must be clearly accessory to the principal permitted use.
      4.   Commercially used or commercially licensed vehicles used in the normal operation of a permitted retail or service use on the site may be parked in the rear only. This provision shall apply to operable vehicles that are moved on and off of the site on a regular basis.
      5.   Parking or storage of damaged or disabled vehicles shall be prohibited. Vehicles parked on a site shall not be used principally for storage, sales, or advertising.
      6.   All sites shall be maintained in compliance with the open space and landscaping requirements of Section 5.03.
   B.   Site plan review. Site plan review and approval by the city planner is required for all uses in the B-D, Downtown Business District in accordance with Article 32.00.
   C.   Area, height, bulk, and placement requirements. Buildings and uses in the B-D, Downtown Business District are subject to the area, height, bulk, and placement requirements in Article 29.00, Schedule of Regulations.
   D.   Planned Unit Development Mixed Use. Planned Unit Development Mixed Use may be permitted as a means to achieve the basic intent of this district, in accordance with the guidelines in Article 23.00.
   E.   General development standards. Buildings and uses in the B-A, Local Business District; B-B, Community Business District; and B-C, General Business District shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this ordinance, including the following:
Article
Topic
Article
Topic
Definitions
General Provisions
Off-Street Parking and Loading
Landscaping
Walls
Site Development Standards
Schedule of Regulations
 
   (F)   Off-street parking requirements. 
   (1)   It is the intent of these off-street parking requirements to regulate parking supply and demand in a way that supports the unique character and transportation choices in a downtown urban area.
   (2)   Due to the strong presence of the existing public parking facilities, properties within the district are not required to provide any private parking. However, new projects and developments are encouraged to supply parking if feasible for their anticipated demand.
   (3)   The Planning Commission, in its review of any proposed special land uses or site plan, shall specifically consider how the proposed project aligns with the parking standards outlined in the table below or as explicitly regulated in Article 4.00.
   •   Office                        3.0      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Retail                        1.0      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Restaurant                     9.0      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Medical                        4.0       Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Community                     .5      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Fraternal Lodges                  .5      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Motel                        1.0      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
   •   Residential Apts.                  1.0      Parking Spaces/1,000 square feet
(Ord. No. 93-553, § 17.03, 2-2-1993; Ord. No. 24-1831, 12-10-2024)
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