What are the side yard setbacks for a narrow lot in Royal Oak?
4 feet on each side, 12 feet combined. Lots narrower than 45 feet get reduced side yard requirements in One-Family Residential (§ 770-34D(6)). Lots 45 feet and wider need 5 feet on each side and 15 feet combined.
One requirement does not shrink. On any lot, one side yard of at least 8 feet must remain open, unobstructed, and suitable for use as a driveway (§ 770-34D(6)(c)). On a 40-foot lot, that often means an 8-foot yard on one side and 4 feet on the other.
The front setback still follows the neighbor-averaging rule, the greater of 25 feet or the average of adjacent dwellings, capped at 50 feet (§ 770-34D(5)(a)), and the rear setback is 35 feet (§ 770-34D(7)).
Measure from your actual lot lines, not the fence. A survey and a call to the planning division at 248-246-3280 settle close cases.
Sources
Full text: Royal Oak ordinance on eCode360. Applies to district: 1F.
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