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

• 1FResidential

  One-Family Residential

  One-Family Residential is Royal Oak's standard detached-home district, with 6,000 square foot minimum lots.

• 1FLResidential

  One-Family Large Lot Residential

  One-Family Large Lot Residential covers the city's larger detached-home lots, 13,000 square feet minimum.

• 2FResidential

  Two-Family Residential

  Two-Family Residential allows two-family dwellings by right on lots of at least 9,000 square feet.

• MFResidential

  Multiple-Family Residential

  Multiple-Family Residential hosts apartments and other multiple-family housing, with lot area set per unit.

• OSCommercial

  Office Service

  Office Service is the city's office and service district, with a 36 foot height cap.

• NBCommercial

  Neighborhood Business

  Neighborhood Business serves nearby residents with retail, personal services, and restaurants.

• NB2Commercial

  Neighborhood Business II

  Neighborhood Business II is a narrower business district limited to small-scale retail and services.

• CBDCommercial

  Central Business District

  Central Business District is downtown Royal Oak, with upper-floor dwellings by right and building height tiered by distance from residential parcels.

• RBCommercial

  Regional Business

  Regional Business is built for large regional commercial sites of at least 15 acres.

• GBCommercial

  General Business

  General Business is the broadest business district, adding auto-oriented and other intensive commercial uses as special land uses.

• GIIndustrial

  General Industrial

  General Industrial hosts the city's industrial uses, capped at 4 stories or 50 feet.

• MU1Mixed use

  Mixed Use 1

  Mixed Use 1 blends residential and office uses, with multiple-family housing available as a special land use.

• MU2Mixed use

  Mixed Use 2

  Mixed Use 2 blends residential, office, and neighborhood business uses; drive-throughs are prohibited.

• PUDSpecial purpose

  Planned Unit Development

  Planned Unit Development is a negotiated district whose uses and standards are set through the PUD approval itself.

• SRSpecial purpose

  Special Redevelopment

  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?