Rochester, Michigan zoning
A plain-language summary of the Rochester zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on Municode, last reviewed June 15, 2026.
Zoning districts
- R-1Residential
One-Family Residential District
One-family district for already platted and substantially developed small-lot areas. Article 6 permits one-family dwellings and uses the Article 20 residential schedule.
- R-2Residential
One-Family Residential District
One-family district for existing one-family neighborhoods. Article 6 permits one-family dwellings and uses the Article 20 residential schedule.
- R-3Residential
One-Family Residential District
One-family district with larger minimum lot area and lot width than R-1 and R-2. Article 20 includes a special R-3 lot-width reduction provision.
- R-4Residential
One-Family Residential District
One-family district with larger side-yard and lot-size requirements than R-1 through R-3. Article 25 also contains a PRD option for R-4 and R-5.
- R-5Residential
One-Family Residential District
Largest one-family residential district in the Article 20 schedule. Article 25 also contains a PRD option for R-4 and R-5.
- RTResidential
Two-Family Residential District
Two-family residential district intended for areas with a significant number of two-family dwellings, while also allowing one-family dwellings.
- RM-1Residential
Multiple-Family Residential District
Multiple-family residential district intended to diversify Rochester's housing supply. The current codified RM-1 article allows two-family dwellings subject to R-2 dimensional standards and multifamily dwellings; proposed 2025 materials should be confirmed before treating RM-1 as a broader mixed-residential district.
- RM-2Residential
Multiple-Family Residential District
Multiple-family district allowing greater height and density than RM-1 through special exception uses, including taller multifamily buildings, resident-serving businesses in large multifamily buildings, and mixed residential-office developments in limited downtown-adjacent locations.
- MHPResidential
Mobile Home Park Residential District
Mobile home park residential district regulating state-licensed mobile home park sites and related buildings.
- CBDCommercial
Central Business District
Intensive downtown business district for retail, service, office, restaurant, civic, and similar enclosed uses, with restrictions on Main Street street-level office, printing, and warehouse uses.
- P-1Special purpose
Vehicular Parking District
Vehicular parking district for off-street parking uses. Read with Article 24 and the district-specific parking article before relying on a site layout.
- B-1Commercial
General Business District
General business district for retail, service, restaurant, office, and similar commercial uses. The zoning map labels this district B-1; Article 5 text also appears as B-I in the Municode table.
- O-1Commercial
Office Limited District
Limited office district for lower-intensity office and related uses, with residential conversions and upper-story apartments subject to ordinance standards.
- O-2Commercial
Restricted Office District
Restricted office district for professional and office uses with additional use limits and development standards.
- RPCommercial
Research Park District
Research park district for research, office, laboratory, technical, and related uses. The current Municode article list and current zoning map use RP; city-linked 2025 proposed update materials also use RTECH terminology, so confirm the adopted/current label with the city before using the proposed map labels.
- I-1Industrial
Industrial 1 District
Industrial district for lighter industrial, research, manufacturing, and related uses. The current Municode article list and current zoning map use I-1; city-linked 2025 proposed update materials also use LI terminology, so confirm the adopted/current label with the city before using the proposed map labels.
- I-2Industrial
Industrial 2 District
Industrial district for heavier industrial uses, subject to the district article, performance standards, parking, and site plan review.
- RVSpecial purpose
River Valley District
River Valley district with special standards for parcels near the Paint Creek and Clinton River corridor.
- POSSpecial purpose
Parks and Open Space District
Parks and Open Space district in Article 19 for city-owned parks, recreation areas, open space, and natural or cultural resource preservation. The current zoning map PDF reviewed for this pack does not show POS in the legend, so confirm any POS mapping with Planning and Zoning before relying on it for a parcel.
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 gravel driveways allowed in Rochester?
- Can I build a second dwelling or ADU on a Rochester single-family lot?
- What are the fence rules for a Rochester residential property?
- How do I look up my zoning district in Rochester, Michigan?
- How tall can a house be in Rochester?
- Is Rochester the same zoning jurisdiction as Rochester Hills?
- What minimum lot size applies in Rochester one-family districts?
- How does Rochester handle parking for outdoor dining?
- How many parking spaces does a house need in Rochester?
- What are the basic shed or detached garage rules in Rochester?
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