(a) Accessory Buildings and Structures General Requirements. Accessory buildings, except as otherwise permitted in this Zoning Code, shall be subject to the following general requirements:
(1) Accessory buildings and structures that are customarily incidental and subordinate to an existing principal building or structure or use permitted by right within the applicable zoning district, located on the same lot and not otherwise regulated by this Zoning Code, shall be permitted subject to the regulations of this Zoning Code.
(2) Accessory buildings and structures shall not be constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic film, nylon or similar material that does not provide long-term durability.
(3) Accessory buildings and structures six hundred (600) square feet in floor area or greater shall be securely attached to a frost-free footing meeting building code requirements. Accessory buildings and structures less than six hundred (600) square feet in floor area but two hundred (200) square feet and greater shall be securely attached to a foundation. footing or a concrete slab so that they are a permanent fixture on the property. In both cases a zoning permit is required before construction begins.
(4) A tent that is otherwise lawfully erected for a special event on a short-term basis shall not be regulated under this section.
(5) HVAC and mechanical equipment are deemed to be accessory structures and may not be located in the front yard unless determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator. Screening shall be provided in all circumstances unless waived by the Zoning Administrator.
(6) Attached Accessory Buildings and Structures.
A. Attached accessory buildings and structures (i.e. attached garages, covered porches, decks (with a height greater than eight (8) inches above grade) shall be joined structurally to the principal building.
B. Attached accessory buildings and structures shall conform to the minimum setback requirements and other site development standards of the zoning district where the accessory building or structure is located.
C. Attached accessory buildings and structures shall be included in the calculation for maximum lot coverage.
(7) Detached Accessory Buildings.
A. Detached accessory buildings, such as garages and sheds aren’t physically attached to the principal structure.
B. Detached accessory buildings shall be setback at least six (6) feet from any side or rear property line.
C. Detached accessory buildings must maintain at least ten (10) feet separation between the detached accessory building and the principal structure.
D. Detached accessory buildings shall not be used as dwelling units.
E. Detached accessory buildings shall be included in the calculation for maximum lot coverage.
(8) Detached Accessory Structures.
A. Detached accessory structures, such as pergolas and gazebos, are not physically attached to the principal structure.
B. Detached accessory structures shall be setback at least six (6) feet from any property line.
C. Detached accessory structures must maintain at least ten (10) feet separation between the detached accessory structure and the principal structure.
D. Detached accessory structures shall not be located within any dear vision corner near a driveway or public/private street.
E. Detached accessory structures shall be included in the calculation for maximum lot coverage.
(b) Accessory Buildings and Structures; Residential Districts or Uses.
(1) Detached accessory buildings in a residential zoning district or which is being used residentially shall only be located in the side or rear yard. Attached accessory buildings or structures in a residential zoning district or which is being used residentially may be located in the front yard but must conform to the district setback requirements outlined in this section. When an accessory building or structure is located on a corner lot which is considered to have two (2) front yards and two (2) side yards for the purposes of this Section, the side that is larger in terms of square foot shall be considered the rear yard.
(2) The total square footage of all such principal and accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage as set forth in Appendix I.
(3) No such accessory building or structure shall exceed twenty (20) feet in height from grade to the peak of the highest point.
(5) Above ground and in ground swimming pools are considered accessory structures as defined in Section 1286.13
. All pools are subject to lot coverage and setback requirements defined in this Chapter.
(c) Accessory Buildings and Structures; Non-residential Districts.
(1) The total area of all accessory structures or buildings in a non-residential zoning district shall be no greater than 50% of the total gross floor area of the principal structure on site.
(2) Accessory buildings in non-residential districts may only be located in the side or rear yard.
(3) Such accessory buildings or structures under 500 square feet shall be located no closer than ten (10) feet from any lot line and those 500 square feet or greater must be located at least twenty (20) feet from any lot line.
(4) No accessory building or structure shall be located closer than ten (10) feet to any building.
(5) The Michigan Building Code and the Michigan State Fire Code must be followed as amended.
(6) No accessory building or structure shall exceed the height for principal buildings or structures in the district in which it is located.
(7) For this section, gasoline station pump canopies are considered accessory structures; however, they are permitted in the front yard and must be setback at least thirty-five (35) feet from the nearest property line or road right-of-way line and are not calculated in the maximum lot coverage. In addition, gasoline station pump canopies have a maximum height limit of fifteen (15) feet
(d) Recreational Vehicles. A recreational vehicle, for the purposes of this Section, is a vehicle designed to be used primarily for recreational purposes which contains sleeping quarters and/or cooking facilities, or a unit designed to be attached to a vehicle and used for such purposes including self-propelled motor homes, pick-up campers, fifth wheel trailers, travel trailers, tent trailers and folding camping trailers.
Recreational vehicles on the driveway or the property’s rear yard shall further respect the requirements of this section applicable to accessory buildings in terms of setbacks from lot lines and buildings. Recreational vehicles parked or stored may not be connected to sanitary, water, or gas facilities and may not be occupied.
(1975 Code §5.123) (Ord. 468. Passed 10-6-09; Ord. 566. Passed 9-6-22.)