ZoningVerdict

Setbacks in Rochester, MI

What the Rochester zoning ordinance says about setbacks, district by district. Section numbers link to the official ordinance.

R-1 — One-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 5 foot least side yard, 15 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for R-1. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

R-2 — One-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 5 foot least side yard, 15 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for R-2. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

R-3 — One-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 5 foot least side yard, 15 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for R-3. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

R-4 — One-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 10 foot least side yard, 30 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for R-4. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

R-5 — One-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 10 foot least side yard, 30 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for R-5. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

RT — Two-Family Residential District

The Article 20 schedule lists a 25 foot front yard, 5 foot least side yard, 15 foot total side yards, and 35 foot rear yard for RT. Corner, accessory, and infill conditions can add more specific rules.

RM-1 — Multiple-Family Residential District

RM-1 yard standards are in the Article 20 schedule and include special street-facing side-yard entries and site-plan-dependent building spacing. Confirm the exact setback line from the schedule and Section 2002 before designing a multifamily site.

RM-2 — Multiple-Family Residential District

RM-2 setbacks vary by building height and street/frontage condition. Section 2003 adds special rules for two-story-or-less buildings and buildings over two stories, so the Article 20 schedule and Section 2003 should be read together before laying out an RM-2 site.

B-1 — General Business District

B-1 front and side setbacks are context-sensitive. Section 2005 starts with a 15 foot minimum front yard and 10 foot minimum side yard, but Planning Commission review can consider established block patterns and adjacent buildings.

Get the full picture for your property

Enter an address. We identify the zoning district and assemble what the ordinance says about it: permitted uses, dimensional rules, accessory structures, and the approval process.

District identification is free. The full brief is $79.