Use Districts | Minimum Size Lot Per Dwelling | Maximum Height of Structure | Minimum Yard Setback (Per Lot in Feet) | Maximum Percent of Lot Coverage | |||||
Area in Sq. Ft. | Width in Ft. | In Stories | In Feet | Front | Sides | Rear | (Area of all Structures) | ||
Least 1 | Total of 2
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Use Districts | Minimum Size Lot Per Dwelling | Maximum Height of Structure | Minimum Yard Setback (Per Lot in Feet) | Maximum Percent of Lot Coverage | |||||
Area in Sq. Ft. | Width in Ft. | In Stories | In Feet | Front | Sides | Rear | (Area of all Structures) | ||
Least 1 | Total of 2
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B-1, Neighborhood Business | — | — | 2 | 30 | 5(m,w) | 5(n) | 10(n) | 10(o) | — |
B-2, General Business | — | — | 4 | 40 | 5(m,w, z) | 5(n) | 10(n) | 10 | — |
CBD, Central Business | — | — | 8(p) (ad) | 80(p) (ad) | (v,w) | 5(n) | 10(n) | 10 | — |
I-1, Industrial | — | — | 8 | 85 | 20(d,t), (u,x) | 5(n,t, x,u) | 10(n,u ,t,x) | 10(o, u,x) | — |
I-2, Industrial | — | — | — | — | 20(d,t, u,x,y) | 5(n,t, u,x) | 10(n,t ,u,x) | 10(o, u,x) | — |
I-3, Industrial | — | — | — | — | 20(d,t, u,x,y) | 5(n,t, u,x) | 10(n,t ,u,x) | 10(o, u,x) | — |
IRO, Industrial/Researc h/ Office | — | — | — | — | 20(t,d, u) | 5(n,t, u) | 10(n,t ,u) | 10(o, u) | — |
OS, Office Services | — | — | 2 | 30 | 5(m,w) | 5(n) | 10(n) | 10(o) | — |
RA, One-Family Residential | 5,000 | 50 | 2 | 30 | 20(d) | 4(b,c) (aa) | 12(b,c ) | 25 | 35% |
RM-1A, Multiple-Family Residential | (f,q) | (f,q,s -1) | 3 | 35 | 20(d) | 5(b,i,r -1) | 15(b,i ,r-1) | 20(h,i ) | 40% |
RM-1, Multiple-Family Residential | (e,f) | (e,f) | 2 | 30 | 20(h,d) | 10(h,i ) | 20(h,i ) | 25(h,i ) | 35% |
RM-2, Townhouse Residential | (e,f) | (e,f) | 3(ab) | 35(ab ) | 10(d,ac ) | 7(h) | 14(h) | 20(h) | 38% |
RM-3, Multiple-Family Residential | (j) | (j) | 8(k) | 80(k) | 20(d) | 3(i,b) | 10(i,b ) | 20(i,l ) | 40% |
RT, One- and Two-Family Residential | 5,000 | 35 | 2 | 30 | 20(d) | 4(b,c) (aa) | 12(b,c ) | 25 | 35% |
RU, Recreation Unit Districts | 1,000 | 20 | — | 30(r- 2) | — | 2(s-2) | 4(s-2) | 10 | — |
NOTES TO TABLE: | |||||||||
(a) [Reserved.] | |||||||||
(b) Where a side yard abuts a street, the minimum width of such yard shall be not less than 5 feet, except in the instance of a multiple dwelling such side yard shall not be less than 10 feet. A distance of not less than 8 feet shall be provided between the dwelling and a dwelling on an abutting lot. | |||||||||
(c) Any side yard for a principal use or a special use allowed in this district, other than 1- and 2-family dwellings, shall not be less than 1/2 the height of the building at the side yard. | |||||||||
(d) In a block on 1 side of the street, 50% or more occupied, the depth of the front yard need not be more than the average depth of front yards of existing buildings and, in no instance, more than 20 feet. | |||||||||
(e) The following minimum lot area per dwelling unit shall be provided: (1) Efficiency unit: 1,100 square feet per unit; (2) One-bedroom unit: 1,600 square feet per unit; (3) Two-bedroom unit: 2,200 square feet per unit; (4) Three-bedroom unit: 2,800 square feet per unit; and (5) Four-bedroom unit: 3,400 square feet per unit. | |||||||||
(f) A den or extra room shall count the same as a bedroom. Examples of an “extra room” include, but are not limited to, the following: space in a basement, attic or other area that is planned or may be finished at a later date as a loft area, office, library, study, bonus room; an additional family or living room; or other additional room. | |||||||||
(g) The following minimum lot area per dwelling unit shall be provided: (1) Efficiency unit: 600 square feet per unit; (2) One-bedroom unit: 900 square feet per unit; (3) Two-bedroom unit: 1,200 square feet per unit; (4) Three-bedroom unit: 1,500 square feet per unit; and (5) Four-bedroom unit: 1,800 square feet per unit. | |||||||||
(h) In all RM-1 and RM-2 Multiple-Residence Districts, the minimum distance between any 2 buildings, excluding buildings where the side yards of each building are directly opposite one another, shall be regulated according to the length and height of such buildings. The formula regulating the required minimum distance between 2 buildings is as follows:  | |||||||||
S = LA + LB + 2(HA + HB) 6 where: S = Required minimum horizontal distance between any wall of building A and any wall of building B or the vertical prolongation of either. LA = Total length of building A. The total length of building A is the length of that portion or portions of a wall or walls of building A from which, when viewed directly from above, lines drawn perpendicular to building A will intersect any wall of building B. LB = The total length of building B. The total length of building B is the length of that portion or portions of a wall or walls of building B from which, when viewed directly from above, lines drawn perpendicular to building B will intersect any wall of building A. HA = Height of building A. The height of building A at any given level is the height above natural grade level of any portion or portions of a wall or walls along the length of building A. Natural grade level shall be the mean level of the ground immediately adjoining the portion or portions of the wall or walls along the total length of the building. HB = Height of building B. The height of building B at any given level is the height above natural grade level of any portion or portions of a wall or walls the length of building B. Natural grade level shall be the mean level of the ground immediately adjoining the portion or portions of the wall or walls along the total length of the building. | |||||||||
(i) Any side or rear yard for a principal use or a use permissible on special approval allowed in this district, other than RA, RT and multiple-family dwellings shall not be less than the height of the structure at the side or rear lot line. | |||||||||
(j) No principal use shall be built upon a lot having less than 2,000 square feet for the first 2 families, plus 500 square feet for each additional family. | |||||||||
(k) Buildings or parts of buildings, not exceeding 2% of the lot area may be erected to a height of 100 feet if the side yard is increased to 1/3 of the height of such part at the 80-foot level. | |||||||||
(l) For each story in excess of 2, 1 additional foot of rear yard in excess of the minimum 20 feet shall be provided. | |||||||||
(m) A front yard of 5 feet, however, and a minimum of 10 feet for buildings adjacent to a street right-of-way. | |||||||||
(n) Side yards may be omitted if walls abutting a side yard are of fire-proof construction and the building is not adjacent to a street right-of-way. | |||||||||
(o) Floors of buildings used in whole or in part as a dwelling shall provide a minimum rear yard of 25 feet. Not less than 15 feet of depth of such yard shall be useable as outdoor yard space for the occupants of such dwelling. If a rear yard abuts an alley, such yard may be measured from the center of the alley. | |||||||||
(p) Buildings or structures may be constructed to a height not to exceed 150 feet where adequate fire protection of such building or structure is provided to supplement the protection available from municipal sources in the judgment of the Fire Chief. | |||||||||
(q) The following minimum lot area per dwelling unit shall be provided: (1) Efficiency unit: 900 square feet per unit; (2) One-bedroom unit: 1,200 square feet per unit; (3) Two-bedroom unit: 1,500 square feet per unit; (4) Three-bedroom unit: 1,800 square feet per unit; and (5) Four-bedroom unit: 2,100 square feet per unit. | |||||||||
(r-1) Every lot on which a multiple dwelling is erected shall be provided with a side yard on each side of such lot. Each side yard shall be increased by one-half-foot for each 10 feet or part thereof by which the length of the multiple dwelling exceeds 40 feet in overall dimension along the adjoining lot line. In no instance shall a side yard of less than 10 feet be provided on those sides which provide front entrances to buildings. (r-2) Above established grade level as determined by the city. | |||||||||
(s-1) No multiple-family dwelling shall he built on a parcel of less width or depth than 45 feet. (s-2) Side yards may be eliminated where fire-proof common walls are provided. | |||||||||
(t) A front and side yard setback of not less than 50 feet shall be provided for industrial sites on major thoroughfares where the use is warehousing, wholesale, manufacturing, major vehicle repair, metal plating, storage, incinerators, smelting, processes utilizing furnaces or other similar uses. Such yard shall be landscaped with plant materials (trees, shrubs and lawn area). All outdoor storage areas shall be screened from public streets by means of walls and/or landscape planting and shall not be visible from public streets. Buildings fronting on public streets shall be constructed of finished materials. | |||||||||
(u) A setback of not less than 100 feet shall be provided for all buildings on those sites abutting the Detroit River. | |||||||||
(v) Buildings in the central business districts shall be setback no further than 5 feet; provided, when buildings exist abutting both sides of a site that exceed this setback, an average setback of buildings abutting the site may be provided. No curb cuts are permitted on a street which is adjacent to a front yard. | |||||||||
(w) Fencing in any front yard shall be prohibited provided this shall not preclude provision for pedestrian safety barricades for outdoor cafés. | |||||||||
(x) Building setbacks abutting a residential district shall not be less than 20 feet for a front yard, 5 feet for each side yard and 10 feet for a rear yard; provided, an additional 1 foot of front yard setback and an additional 2 feet of side and rear yard setback for each foot of building height over a building height of 20 feet shall be provided. This provision for added yard requirements shall not apply to none industrial buildings. | |||||||||
(y) In I-2 and I-3 Industrial Districts not on a major thoroughfare, there shall be a minimum of 20 feet of front yard setback from the property line, except where the 1 side of the street is 50% or more developed, the depth of the front yard need not be more than the average depth of front yards of existing buildings. | |||||||||
(z) Setbacks for drive-in and drive-through restaurants shall be not less than 20 feet. | |||||||||
(aa) For existing single-family homes in RA and RT Districts, additions to principal buildings may be equal to the side yard of the existing structure, but shall not reduce the side yard to less than 3 feet. | |||||||||
(ab) A minimum height of 2 stories is required. | |||||||||
(ac) If the building does not front on a public street (i.e., the building faces an interior lot line) and no other principal dwelling on the same property faces the structure, a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet is required. When 2 or more buildings face one another, either for its entire length or a portion thereof, the front yard setback shall be in accordance with the formula provided in division (h) above. | |||||||||
(ad) A minimum height of 2 stories and not less than 30 feet in height is required for all buildings fronting on Biddle Avenue. | |||||||||
Special Uses — Index of Items Covered | Section |
Special Uses — Index of Items Covered | Section |
Auto and machinery assembly plants | |
Auto wash | |
Automobile service station | |
Automobile service station with major vehicle repair | |
Bed and breakfast dwellings | |
Beverage container processing | |
Business services located in O-S districts | |
Child care or day care center | |
Commercial outdoor recreational space | |
Convalescent homes | |
Domesticated companion animal lodging facility | |
Drive-in or drive-through restaurant | |
Functional equivalent family | |
Funeral homes | |
General hospitals | |
Home occupations (not specifically permitted) | |
Industrial and retail uses in IRO districts | |
Joint use parking facilities | |
Junkyards | |
Kennel | |
Limited dwelling construction in O-S districts | |
Marina and boat livery facilities | |
Motels | |
Murals | |
Outdoor café | |
Outdoor sales space for new or used automobiles | |
Parks and recreational facilities | |
Pool halls and amusement arcades | |
Private and institutional outdoor recreation areas | |
Private clubs and lodge halls | |
Public art | |
Public utility facilities and uses | |
Reasonable accommodation use | |
Residential boutiques | |
Residential service facilities in Residential RM-2 districts | |
Satellite dish antennas | |
Second floor dwellings in office/business buildings | |
Sewage disposal plants | |
Stores that sell alcoholic beverages | |
Towers and antennas for wireless communication facilities | |
Uses authorized by special license | |
Wind turbines | |
(Prior Code, App. A, § 2100) (Ord. 1277, passed 4-2-2007; Ord. 1364, passed 6-11-2012; Ord. 1380, passed 1-14-2013; Ord. 1390, passed 11-11-2013; Ord. 1498, passed 9-28-2020)