Royal Oak, Michigan zoning
A plain-language summary of the Royal Oak zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on eCode360, last reviewed June 14, 2026.
Zoning districts
| Code | Name | Category | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1F | One-Family Residential | Residential | One-Family Residential is Royal Oak's standard detached-home district, with 6,000 square foot minimum lots. |
| 1FL | One-Family Large Lot Residential | Residential | One-Family Large Lot Residential covers the city's larger detached-home lots, 13,000 square feet minimum. |
| 2F | Two-Family Residential | Residential | Two-Family Residential allows two-family dwellings by right on lots of at least 9,000 square feet. |
| MF | Multiple-Family Residential | Residential | Multiple-Family Residential hosts apartments and other multiple-family housing, with lot area set per unit. |
| OS | Office Service | Commercial | Office Service is the city's office and service district, with a 36 foot height cap. |
| NB | Neighborhood Business | Commercial | Neighborhood Business serves nearby residents with retail, personal services, and restaurants. |
| NB2 | Neighborhood Business II | Commercial | Neighborhood Business II is a narrower business district limited to small-scale retail and services. |
| CBD | Central Business District | Commercial | Central Business District is downtown Royal Oak, with upper-floor dwellings by right and building height tiered by distance from residential parcels. |
| RB | Regional Business | Commercial | Regional Business is built for large regional commercial sites of at least 15 acres. |
| GB | General Business | Commercial | General Business is the broadest business district, adding auto-oriented and other intensive commercial uses as special land uses. |
| GI | General Industrial | Industrial | General Industrial hosts the city's industrial uses, capped at 4 stories or 50 feet. |
| MU1 | Mixed Use 1 | Mixed use | Mixed Use 1 blends residential and office uses, with multiple-family housing available as a special land use. |
| MU2 | Mixed Use 2 | Mixed use | Mixed Use 2 blends residential, office, and neighborhood business uses; drive-throughs are prohibited. |
| PUD | Planned Unit Development | Special purpose | Planned Unit Development is a negotiated district whose uses and standards are set through the PUD approval itself. |
| SR | Special Redevelopment | Special purpose | Special Redevelopment is a district for designated redevelopment sites, with the district purpose in § 770-48 and project standards in § 770-87. |
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 apartments allowed above stores in Royal Oak?
- What are the deadlines to appeal a zoning decision in Royal Oak?
- Are ADUs or in-law suites allowed in Royal Oak?
- Can I open a bed and breakfast in Royal Oak?
- Can I build an 8-foot privacy fence in Royal Oak?
- Can I convert my basement or garage into an apartment in Royal Oak?
- Can I run water, power, and plumbing to my detached garage in Royal Oak?
- Can I split my lot in Royal Oak?
- Can a church locate in a residential zone in Royal Oak?
- What are the fence rules for a corner lot in Royal Oak?
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