How tall can a detached garage be in Novi?

In the R-1 through R-4, RT, RM-1, MH, OS-1, B-1, P-1, and NCC districts, a detached accessory building is capped at 1 story or 14 feet (Section 4.19.1.I).

The RA Residential Acreage district is the notable exception: it is not on that list, so an RA accessory building may rise to the district maximum of 35 feet or 2.5 stories, provided it steps back 1 additional foot from each lot line for every foot of height above 14 feet (Section 4.19.1.I; Section 3.1.1.D). The same taller-with-setback allowance applies in the other districts not named in the 14 foot list.

If you want a two-story garage or a garage with living space above it in a standard subdivision district, the 14 foot cap is the obstacle, and any use of a detached accessory building beyond parking and storage requires Zoning Board of Appeals approval (Section 4.19.1.K). Talk to the Community Development Department at 248-347-0415 before designing one.