What the Royal Oak zoning ordinance says about building height, district by district. Section numbers link to the official ordinance.
Maximum 30 feet (§ 770-34D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 30 feet (§ 770-35D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 30 feet (§ 770-36D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
For multiple-family dwellings: 36 feet maximum. Single-family detached dwellings follow 1F standards; two-family dwellings follow 2F standards (§ 770-37D(1)-(2)).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 36 feet (§ 770-38D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 36 feet (§ 770-39D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 36 feet (§ 770-40D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Height in the Central Business District is tiered by distance from residential parcels (§ 770-42D):
The ordinance also lets the Planning Commission set height as it finds advisable, so confirm what applies to your site.
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 50 feet, unless the Planning Commission allows additional height after making the ordinance's required findings (§ 770-43D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 36 feet (§ 770-41D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 4 stories or 50 feet (§ 770-44D).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Maximum 36 feet, or up to 56 feet with Planning Commission findings (§ 770-45, as amended 12-6-2021).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Residential uses also carry their expressly incorporated use-specific requirements; the district summary must not be read as overriding those requirements.
Maximum 36 feet, or up to 56 feet with Planning Commission findings (§ 770-46, as amended 12-6-2021).
Height is measured from the average finished grade at the front base of the building to the midpoint of a pitched roof or the roofline of a flat roof. Section 770-21D(3) separately permits specified proportional rooftop structures, with screening and setback conditions, no more than 15 feet above the district limit.
Residential uses also carry their expressly incorporated use-specific requirements; the district summary must not be read as overriding those requirements.
There is no single numeric height standard in § 770-47 or Article VIII for every PUD. The approved development agreement and plans must establish the applicable standards. Residential density begins with the pre-PUD district's density; additional density needs the prescribed Planning Commission recommendation and City Commission approval. Section 770-100C permits justified deviations from applicable setbacks and other requirements, and requires a perimeter setback/berming as found necessary, with setback distance set by the Planning Commission. Confirm the approved agreement and plan for the parcel; no default zero or unlimited value is established.
Section 770-48 and § 770-87 do not set a single district-wide numeric height for every Special Redevelopment project. Residential density is determined by the Planning Commission under § 770-87D(1). Nonresidential proposals must meet the district's development design standards, with adequate separation/buffering, subject to justified deviations approved under § 770-87D(2). Applicable setbacks and other requirements may be modified through the specified approval findings. Use the approved project plan and conditions; the absence of a standalone number does not mean zero or unlimited development.
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