Is a gravel driveway allowed in Royal Oak?

No. Gravel driveways are prohibited. Driveways and parking surfaces must be hard surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or an approved pervious or permeable pavement (§ 770-109A, amended by Ord. 2019-11).

The ordinance lists the banned surfaces directly:

• Loose aggregate
• Gravel
• Stone
• Unreinforced grass or sod
• Soil

If you have an existing gravel drive, replacing or expanding it will trigger the surfacing requirement, so plan for asphalt, concrete, or an approved permeable product.

One traditional option does survive: ribbon driveways, the two parallel wheel tracks with a planted strip between, are allowed (§ 770-105F(1)(c)). The tracks themselves still need to be a permitted hard surface.

Each dwelling is limited to one driveway with a minimum width of 8 ft (§ 770-105F(1)). For questions about approved permeable products, call the Planning Division at 248-246-3280.