Does a new house need site plan approval in Troy, Michigan?

No. One-family and two-family dwellings, along with their accessory structures, are exempt from site plan review in Troy (Section 8.02.B). A new house goes through building permits, not the Planning Commission.

For context, here is how site plan review works for projects that do need it:

• The Planning Commission approves preliminary site plans, with 5 concurring votes required (Section 8.03)
• Final site plans are approved administratively by the Planning Department (Section 8.03)
• The Zoning Administrator can administratively review 15 minor categories, including home occupations, fences, and signs (Section 8.03.C)

The exemption does not mean a new house escapes zoning. The home must still meet its district's lot, setback, height, and coverage standards, and the driveway must still be concrete or asphalt (Section 13.06.J.2). It simply means no discretionary site plan hearing is required. Permit questions go to the Planning Department at 248-524-3364.