Are ADUs or in-law suites allowed in Royal Oak?

No. Royal Oak does not permit general accessory dwelling units. The term accessory dwelling appears nowhere in the zoning chapter, and detached units are blocked separately by the rule against making accessory buildings easily convertible to habitable space (§ 770-22A(11)).

The one narrow path is senior accessory housing (§ 770-71), a special land use in residential zones:

• One additional unit for an elderly related person.
• Within or attached to the dwelling, never detached.
• Owner-occupied, with city review every two years.
• Maximum 600 square feet, slightly larger for a reasonable one-bedroom conversion.
• One dedicated parking space.
• A deed notice recorded with the Oakland County Register of Deeds that the property may not continue as a two-family use.

The Planning Commission decides special land uses after a public hearing (§ 770-11). Anything beyond this needs a rezoning or a use variance. Start with the planning division at 248-246-3280.