Do I need site plan approval to build a house in Rochester Hills?
No. Single-family dwellings are exempt from site plan review in Rochester Hills (§ 138-2.202). Accessory structures of 200 square feet or less are also exempt in any district (§ 138-2.200.B).
Site plan review targets larger projects. New non-residential, multiple-family, and manufactured-housing construction needs Planning Commission site plan approval (§ 138-2.202), against the standards in § 138-2.203. Small changes get administrative review by the Planning and Development Director (§ 138-2.202). City Council does not approve routine site plans.
The exemption covers site plan review only. A new house still needs building permits and must meet the dimensional standards of its district, such as setbacks, height, and lot coverage (§ 138-5.100). For permit steps, contact Planning and Economic Development at 248-656-4660.
Sources
Full text: Rochester Hills ordinance on Municode. Applies to district: *.
Related questions
Get the full picture for your property
Enter an address. We identify the zoning district and assemble what the ordinance says about it: permitted uses, dimensional rules, accessory structures, and the approval process.
District identification is free. The full brief is $79.