How are side yard setbacks calculated in Birmingham, MI?
Side setbacks in Birmingham's single-family districts are percentage based. One side must be at least 9 feet or 10% of the lot width, and the two sides combined must total at least 14 feet or 25% of the lot width (§§ 2.04, 2.06, 2.08, 2.10). No side setback may ever be less than 5 feet.
Worked example for a 60-foot-wide lot:
- One side: 10% of 60 is 6 feet, so the 9-foot figure governs that side under the larger-of reading the city applies; ask the city how it administers the formula on your lot.
- Both sides combined: 25% of 60 is 15 feet, which exceeds 14 feet.
A separate companion rule requires at least 14 feet or 25% of lot width between principal homes on adjacent lots (§ 4.74), so your neighbor's house position can also matter. The Planning Division at 248-530-1850 can run the numbers for a specific parcel.
Sources
Full text: Birmingham ordinance on enCodePlus. Applies to districts: R1A, R1, R2, R3.
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