Rochester Hills, Michigan zoning
A plain-language summary of the Rochester Hills zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Municode, last reviewed June 11, 2026.
Zoning districts
| Code | Name | Category | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| RE | One-Family Residential Estate | Residential | The largest-lot one-family district. One acre minimum lots, 120 feet wide. |
| R-1 | One-Family Residential | Residential | Low-density one-family homes on lots of at least 20,000 square feet. |
| R-2 | One-Family Residential | Residential | One-family homes on lots of at least 15,000 square feet. |
| R-3 | One-Family Residential | Residential | One-family homes on lots of at least 12,000 square feet. |
| R-4 | One-Family Residential | Residential | The smallest-lot conventional one-family district, 9,600 square feet minimum. |
| R-5 | One-Family Residential | Residential | A flexible residential district allowing single-family, two-family, and small multiplex buildings on compact lots. |
| RCD | One-Family Residential Cluster | Residential | Cluster development district. Owners may build under R-3 rules or the cluster provisions of Article 6, Chapter 2. |
| RM-1 | Multiple-Family Residential | Residential | Duplexes, townhouses, and apartment buildings, with density set per bedroom count. |
| RMH | Manufactured Housing Park | Residential | Manufactured home parks and supporting community uses. |
| MR | Mixed Residential (overlay) | Residential | An overlay that adds attached units and care facilities as conditional uses on top of the underlying district. |
| NB | Neighborhood Business | Commercial | Small-scale retail and services dealing directly with consumers, inside enclosed buildings. |
| CB | Community Business | Commercial | Larger shopping areas on sites of five acres or more. |
| HB | Highway Business | Commercial | Auto-oriented commercial along major corridors, including gas stations by right. |
| FB | Flex Business (overlay) | Mixed use | An overlay district governed by Article 8 that allows a mix of residential and business uses. |
| BD | Brooklands District | Mixed use | A walkable mixed-use district with build-to lines and upper-floor dwellings. |
| O | Office Business | Commercial | Offices and supporting services. Outdoor storage is prohibited. |
| I | Industrial | Industrial | Light industry by right, heavier and outdoor uses by conditional approval. |
| SP | Special Purpose | Special purpose | Institutional and special uses such as hospitals and colleges, mostly by conditional approval. |
| EC | Employment Center | Commercial | Office, research, and light industrial employment uses. |
Rules by topic
- Permitted usesWhat you can do by right in each zoning district.
- Special land usesUses that need special approval before they are allowed.
- SetbacksHow far buildings must sit from property lines.
- Building heightHeight limits by district, and the exceptions.
- Lot coverageHow much of a lot buildings may cover.
- Lot size and widthMinimum lot area and width requirements.
- ParkingRequired spaces, driveway rules, and surfaces.
- Accessory dwelling unitsWhether a second dwelling unit is allowed.
- Garages, sheds, and accessory structuresSize caps, setbacks, and height limits for detached structures.
- FencesHeight limits, placement, and prohibited materials.
- SignsWhat signs are allowed and where.
- Home occupationsRunning a business from a residence.
- Variances and appealsWho decides, what standard applies, and the sequence.
Common questions
- How tall can an accessory building be in Rochester Hills?
- Are ADUs or in-law suites allowed in Rochester Hills?
- How long do I have to appeal a zoning decision in Rochester Hills?
- Can I have a basement apartment in Rochester Hills?
- Can I run a bed and breakfast in Rochester Hills?
- Can I keep chickens or other animals on residential property in Rochester Hills?
- Can a church locate in a residential district in Rochester Hills?
- What are the rules for a garage on a corner lot in Rochester Hills?
- What are the corner lot setback rules in Rochester Hills?
- What are the rules for decks, patios, and gazebos in Rochester Hills?
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