Can I have a basement apartment in Rochester Hills?

No. The ordinance expressly prohibits basement residency (§ 138-10.301). A basement may not serve as a separate place to live.

A finished basement is a different matter. Bedroom or kitchen facilities that are part of the principal dwelling and do not constitute a separate dwelling unit are permitted (§ 138-10.301). The line is the separate dwelling unit. A basement bedroom, rec room, or kitchenette used by the household stays on the right side of it.

Renting the basement as its own apartment would also create a second dwelling unit on a one-family lot. The use table does not list that as a permitted use (§ 138-4.300), and the ordinance is silent on accessory dwellings, so treat it as not permitted. That last point is an inference from silence.

For questions about a specific layout, contact Planning and Economic Development at 248-656-4660.