Setbacks in Macomb Township, MI

Front and street-side setbacks are measured from the center line of the road, using the road classes in the Master Thoroughfare Plan (Sec. 10.0404.D.1): 204 foot major road 142 feet, 150 foot major road 115 feet, 120 foot major road 100 feet, 86 foot collector 83 feet, 70 foot industrial road 75 feet, 60 foot local road 70 feet. On M-59 (Hall Road) and Gratiot Avenue the setback is 30 feet, except permanent structures need 70 feet from the MDOT right-of-way line.

Side yards for residential lots: where no street adjoins the side yard, a principal structure stays at least 35 feet from each side line with both side yards totaling at least 70 feet, and principal buildings on adjoining lots at least 70 feet apart. On lots 60 to 70 feet wide the minimum drops to 4 feet per side with a 15 foot combined total (Sec. 10.0404.D.2.B). Nonresidential side yards are 35 feet. Rear yards: 50 feet for residential lots, rising to 65 feet where the rear yard abuts a public road; nonresidential 50 feet (Sec. 10.0404.D.3). The front setback averaging rule of Sec. 10.0311.C also applies.

Front and street-side setbacks are measured from the road center line (Sec. 10.0504.E.1): 204 foot major road 132 feet, 150 foot major road 105 feet, 120 foot major road 90 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet. On M-59 and Gratiot the setback is 30 feet from the MDOT right-of-way line.

Side yards: 10 feet for residential lots; 25 feet for nonresidential uses. Rear yard: 50 feet (Sec. 10.0504.E.2-3). Principal buildings keep 20 feet between them (Sec. 10.0504.G). The front setback averaging rule of Sec. 10.0311.C applies on developed blocks.

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line (Sec. 10.0604.E.1): 204 foot major road 132 feet, 150 foot major road 105 feet, 120 foot major road 90 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 30 feet from the MDOT line.

Side yards: 10 feet for residential lots, 25 feet for nonresidential uses. Rear yard: 50 feet (Sec. 10.0604.E.2-3). Front setback averaging under Sec. 10.0311.C applies.

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line (Sec. 10.0704.D.1): 204 foot major road 132 feet, 150 foot major road 105 feet, 120 foot major road 90 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 30 feet from the MDOT line. On a typical subdivision street (60 foot right-of-way) the 55 foot centerline setback works out to roughly 25 feet from the future right-of-way line.

Side yards: 7.5 feet each with a combined width of at least 15 feet, and principal buildings on adjoining lots at least 15 feet apart; on lots 60 to 70 feet wide, 6.5 feet each with 13 feet combined (Sec. 10.0704.D.2.b). Rear yard: 35 feet for the house, rising to 65 feet where the rear yard abuts a public road; detached accessory structures need 25 feet (Sec. 10.0704.D.3.b). Front setback averaging under Sec. 10.0311.C applies on developed block faces.

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line (Sec. 10.0806.D.1): 204 foot major road 132 feet, 150 foot major road 105 feet, 120 foot major road 90 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 30 feet. Side yard 35 feet; rear yard 35 feet (Sec. 10.0806.D.2-3).

Building spacing on site: side to side 15 feet, side to rear 30 feet, rear to rear 50 feet, principal to accessory 15 feet (Sec. 10.0806.F). Structures stay 30 feet from the edge of paved private roads (Sec. 10.0806.N).

Same pattern as R-2-L: center line front setbacks of 132/105/90/68/60/55 feet by road class, M-59 and Gratiot 30 feet; side yard 35 feet; rear yard 35 feet (Sec. 10.0906.D). Building spacing: side to side 15 feet, side to rear 30 feet, rear to rear 50 feet; structures 30 feet from paved private roads (Sec. 10.0906.F; Sec. 10.0906.N).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line are the township's deepest residential set (Sec. 10.1006.D.1): 204 foot major road 152 feet, 150 foot major road 125 feet, 120 foot major road 110 feet, 86 foot collector 93 feet, 70 foot industrial road 85 feet, 60 foot local road 80 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 50 feet. Side and rear yards are each 50 feet or the height of the building, whichever is greater (Sec. 10.1006.D.2-3).

Building spacing scales with height: side to side 25 feet, side to rear 50 feet, rear to rear 75 feet, or the height of the shortest building if larger (Sec. 10.1006.F). Roof equipment must be screened by the roof line (Sec. 10.1006.N).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 132/105/90/68/60/55 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 30 feet (Sec. 10.1103.C). No mobile home or structure may sit closer than 25 feet to any property line (Sec. 10.1103.D). Homes keep at least 15 feet of clearance between units, including end-to-end (Sec. 10.1104.C.2). A 20 foot planting strip must surround the entire park, and internal roadways are at least 34 feet wide with 22 feet of paving and sidewalks both sides (Sec. 10.1104.E-F).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 204 foot major road 127 feet, 150 foot major road 100 feet, 120 foot major road 85 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; on M-59 and Gratiot 25 feet, except permanent structures need 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.1205.D.1).

Side yards: 50 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yards: 50 feet abutting agricultural or residential, 75 feet abutting all other zones (Sec. 10.1205.D.2-3, as written; the rear yard being larger against nonresidential land is the ordinance text, so verify with the township before relying on the smaller number).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 127/100/85/68/60/55 feet by road class; on M-59 and Gratiot 25 feet, except permanent structures need 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.1305.D.1). Side yards: 50 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yard: 50 feet (Sec. 10.1305.D.2-3). Buildings keep 25 feet apart (Sec. 10.1305.F). Parking lots within 25 feet of a residential use or zone need a 6 foot masonry wall (Sec. 10.1305.G).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line are the deepest of the office and commercial set: 204 foot major road 177 feet, 150 foot major road 150 feet, 120 foot major road 135 feet, 86 foot collector 118 feet, 70 foot industrial road 110 feet, 60 foot local road 105 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 75 feet (Sec. 10.1405.D.1).

Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses; otherwise 25 feet plus the height of each level of the building above 35 feet. Rear yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential; otherwise 50 feet plus the height of each level above 35 feet (Sec. 10.1405.D.2-3).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 204 foot major road 117 feet, 150 foot major road 90 feet, 120 foot major road 75 feet, 86 foot collector 58 feet, 70 foot industrial road 50 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; on M-59 and Gratiot 15 feet, except permanent structures need 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.1505.D.1). Side yards: 50 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yard: 75 feet (Sec. 10.1505.D.2-3).

Development abutting land zoned AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC, or any residential use, must provide a 6 foot decorative masonry wall and a 20 foot greenbelt setback separating structures, parking, and drives from that land (Sec. 10.1505.G). Loading areas stay 50 feet from residential or agricultural lines, and no building may be closer than 50 feet to the property line of a residential use or zone (Sec. 10.1505.K).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 117/90/75/58/50/55 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 15 feet, permanent structures 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.1605.D.1). Side yards: 50 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yard: 75 feet (Sec. 10.1605.D.2-3).

Development must provide a 6 foot decorative masonry wall and a 40 foot greenbelt setback against land zoned AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC or any residential use; the 40 feet may drop to 20 feet where an approved common area under Section 17-140 of the Land Division Regulations abuts, but the wall is always required (Sec. 10.1605.G).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 117/90/75/58/50/55 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 15 feet, permanent structures 70 feet (Sec. 10.1705.D.1). Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yard: 100 feet (Sec. 10.1705.D.2-3). No building may be closer than 100 feet to the property line of a residential use or zone (Sec. 10.1705.K.2).

Screening: a 6 foot decorative masonry wall and 50 foot greenbelt setback against AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC land or any residential use, reducible to 30 feet where an approved common area abuts (Sec. 10.1705.G). Access points must sit at least 300 feet from public street intersections, and no access or service drive may come within 100 feet of a residential district line (Sec. 10.1706.C-D).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 117/90/75/58/50/55 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 15 feet, permanent structures 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.1805.D.1). Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yard: 100 feet (Sec. 10.1805.D.2-3). No building closer than 100 feet to a residential use or zone line (Sec. 10.1805.K.2).

Screening: 6 foot decorative masonry wall plus 50 foot greenbelt setback against AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC land or any residential use, reducible to 30 feet where an approved common area abuts; the wall is always required (Sec. 10.1805.G).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 204 foot major road 127 feet, 150 foot major road 100 feet, 120 foot major road 85 feet, 86 foot collector 65 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 25 feet, permanent structures 70 feet (Sec. 10.1906.D.1). Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential, 50 feet otherwise (Sec. 10.1906.D.2-3).

Screening: 6 foot decorative masonry wall plus 40 foot greenbelt setback against AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC land or any residential use, reducible to 20 feet where an approved common area abuts (Sec. 10.1906.G). No loading on the side yard adjacent to agricultural or residential land, and loading areas stay 50 feet from residential lines (Sec. 10.1906.K).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 127/100/85/68/60/55 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 25 feet, permanent structures 70 feet (Sec. 10.2007.D.1). Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential, 50 feet otherwise (Sec. 10.2007.D.2-3).

Screening: 6 foot decorative masonry wall plus 40 foot greenbelt setback against AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC land or any residential use, reducible to 20 feet where an approved common area abuts (Sec. 10.2007.G).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 204 foot major road 127 feet, 150 foot major road 100 feet, 120 foot major road 85 feet, 86 foot collector 68 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 55 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 25 feet, permanent buildings 70 feet from the MDOT line (Sec. 10.2106.D.1). Side yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 25 feet otherwise. Rear yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential, 50 feet otherwise (Sec. 10.2106.D.2-3).

Screening: 6 foot decorative masonry wall plus 30 foot landscape buffer against AG, R-1-S, R-1, R-1-E, R-2-L, R-2, R-2-H, R-3, CF, or MTC land or any residential use, reducible to 10 feet where a landscaped common area abuts (Sec. 10.2106.E). Outdoor storage must be in side or rear yards, meet setbacks, sit 100 feet from residential district lines, be enclosed by a 6 to 8 foot fence or wall, and needs special land use approval above 1,000 square feet (Sec. 10.2106.G.7).

Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line are the deepest in the ordinance outside SLD (Sec. 10.2204.D.1): 204 foot major road 202 feet, 150 foot major road 175 feet, 120 foot major road 160 feet, 86 foot collector 143 feet, 70 foot industrial road 60 feet, 60 foot local road 130 feet; M-59 and Gratiot 100 feet from the MDOT line. The 60 foot figure for industrial roads sits far below the neighboring values in the same table and reads like a drafting anomaly; confirm it with the township before relying on it.

Side and rear yards: 100 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 50 feet otherwise (Sec. 10.2204.D.2-3). Screening: 6 foot decorative masonry wall plus 30 foot landscape buffer against residential-family districts and MTC, reducible to 10 feet at a landscaped common area (Sec. 10.2204.E). Loading areas stay 100 feet from residential lines (Sec. 10.2204.G.2).

Maximum structure height is 40 feet (Sec. 10.2304.B). Front and street-side setbacks from the road center line: 202/175/160/143/135/130 feet by road class; M-59 and Gratiot 100 feet (Sec. 10.2304.D.1). Side and rear yards: 500 feet abutting agricultural or residential zones or uses, 100 feet otherwise (Sec. 10.2304.D.2-3). Every SLD use provides an 8 foot chain link fence and 20 foot greenbelt on all sides (Sec. 10.2304.G).

Dimensional requirements in the MTC are set per development zone and per building type in the tables of Sec. 10.2506, covering building placement, build-to lines, frontage, and form, including specific placement standards for detached single-family and attached two-family dwellings. Deviations from the Regulating Plan are not allowed, and where Article XXV conflicts with the rest of the zoning ordinance, Article XXV prevails (Sec. 10.2502.B and G). The zone tables were not transcribed here; consult Sec. 10.2506 for the zone that applies to a specific parcel.

Setbacks follow the underlying use district, with one FLX-specific rule: a flex parcel developed next to a vacant flex-zoned or flex-master-planned parcel must either apply setbacks as if the vacant neighbor were residential or meet the largest setback and buffering required by any other zone (Sec. 10.2704.A). The Planning Commission may waive or modify screening and masonry wall requirements where the ordinance intent is met with sufficient landscaping (Sec. 10.2704.B).

Three township-wide mechanics change how the district numbers read. First, front and street-side setbacks in the district tables are measured from the center line of the road using the planned right-of-way in the Master Thoroughfare Plan, not from your lot line, so the practical setback from the lot line depends on the road classification. Second, in all residential districts the front setback may not be less than the average of existing developed front yards within 100 feet on the same block face, and where most of a block was built with lesser yards a new structure may match the block average, though never so as to leave a corner lot less than a 24 foot wide buildable area; this averaging does not apply on major roads (Sec. 10.0311.C). Third, on corner and through lots, every side facing a street is a front yard (Sec. 10.0311.A.3).

Rear-yard construction rules (Sec. 10.0311.E.6): patios and decks keep 7.5 feet from side lines and 20 feet from the rear line, with walls and railings at most 42 inches above the deck floor; unenclosed pools keep 7.5 feet from side lines, 6 feet from the rear line, and 10 feet from other buildings; nothing may be built in a recorded easement. Air conditioning units, generators, and pool equipment belong behind the rear wall of the house, or in a side yard only on a practical difficulty finding, screened and 3.5 feet off the line (Sec. 10.0354). The 20 foot clear vision triangle applies at intersecting drives (Sec. 10.0313; Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-27.a.2).