Accessory dwelling units in Rochester Hills, MI

What the Rochester Hills zoning ordinance says about accessory dwelling units, district by district. Section numbers link to the official ordinance.

All districts

Chapter 138 does not provide a separately named ADU entitlement. Under § 138-4.105, an unlisted use is prohibited unless determined similar to a listed permitted use. Do not assume a detached ADU or garage apartment is allowed on a one-family lot; obtain the City’s classification for the actual layout. This is a use-classification conclusion, not an express ADU-specific ban.

Bedroom or kitchen facilities remaining part of the principal single-family dwelling and not forming a separate dwelling are allowed under § 138-10.301. A separate basement dwelling is expressly prohibited. Rezoning or a use variance may be possible only through the applicable prerequisites and findings; neither is automatic (§ 138-2.408).

§ 138-4.105; § 138-4.300, Table 4; § 138-10.301; § 138-2.408

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