Birmingham, Michigan zoning
A plain-language summary of the Birmingham zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on enCodePlus, last reviewed July 3, 2026.
Zoning districts
- PPSpecial purpose
Public Property
Publicly owned property such as parks, schools, and municipal facilities.
- R1AResidential
Single-Family Residential
The largest-lot single-family district, 20,000 square feet minimum per dwelling.
- R1Residential
Single-Family Residential
Single-family homes on lots of at least 9,000 square feet.
- R2Residential
Single-Family Residential
Single-family homes on lots of at least 6,000 square feet.
- R3Residential
Single-Family Residential
The smallest-lot single-family district, 4,500 square feet minimum.
- R4Residential
Two-Family Residential
Two-family dwellings at 3,000 square feet of lot area per unit.
- R5Residential
Multiple-Family Residential
Multiple-family housing with lot area per unit set by bedroom count, up to 2 stories.
- R6Residential
Multiple-Family Residential
Multiple-family housing at higher density than R5, up to 3 stories.
- R7Residential
Multiple-Family Residential
The densest multiple-family district, up to 4 stories and 50 feet.
- R8Residential
Attached Single-Family Residential
Attached single-family homes at 3,000 square feet of lot area per unit.
- O1Commercial
Office
An office district for professional and administrative uses.
- O2Commercial
Office/Commercial
Offices with a wider mix of commercial uses than O1.
- PSpecial purpose
Parking
A district for off-street parking areas.
- B1Commercial
Neighborhood Business
Small-scale retail and services serving nearby neighborhoods.
- B2Commercial
General Business
Broad retail and service uses, with dwellings and hotels also allowed.
- B2BCommercial
General Business
A general business district sharing the broad B2 use pattern.
- B2CCommercial
General Business
A general business district established in the ordinance, though the city GIS map currently shows no B2C areas.
- B3Mixed use
Office-Residential
A district mixing office and residential uses.
- B4Mixed use
Business-Residential
A district mixing business and residential uses, partly within the Downtown Birmingham Overlay.
- MXMixed use
Mixed Use
The Eton Road corridor district for live/work, residential, and artisan uses combined with nonresidential uses.
- TZ1Mixed use
Transitional Zone
A transitional zone buffering residential areas from more intense districts.
- TZ2Mixed use
Transitional Zone
A transitional zone regulated by the ordinance (§§ 2.43-2.44) but missing from the establishing list in § 1.10 and from the city GIS map, so confirm its status and boundaries with the city.
- TZ3Mixed use
Transitional Zone
A transitional zone allowing a limited mix of uses between residential and commercial areas.
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
- Are ADUs, granny flats, or in-law suites allowed in Birmingham, MI?
- Are apartments allowed in downtown Birmingham?
- Is assisted living or senior housing allowed in Birmingham's residential districts?
- What are the rules for an attached garage in Birmingham, MI?
- Are barbed wire or electric fences legal in Birmingham, MI?
- Can I add a basement apartment in my Birmingham, MI house?
- Can I build a duplex in Birmingham?
- Can I park in my front yard in Birmingham?
- Can I rent out rooms in my house in Birmingham?
- Can a church or private school open in a Birmingham residential neighborhood?
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