Applying for Rezoning

Rezoning is when the zoning classification of a property is changed to another such as a B4 General Business District to an SD2 Special Development District, Mixed Use. This process is formally referred to as a Map Amendment. The zoning classification of a property can be changed for several reasons: to meet public need, to promote the general welfare, to conform with good zoning practice, and to adhere to the guiding principles and intent of the Master Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. Several steps are required including a review by city staff, community outreach and public hearings at both the City Planning Commission and City Council. To be approved, a rezoning must meet all of the criteria found in Section 50-3-70 of the Zoning Ordinance. The detailed steps and approximate timeline are listed below. 

To apply for a rezoning, please request a pre-application meeting by emailing [email protected] or calling 313-224-6225. The next step is to fill out an application which can be found at the bottom of this page. The application can be submitted electronically to CPC@detroitmi.gov and mailed to Detroit City Planning Commission, 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 208, Detroit, Michigan 48226

REZONING PROCESS & TIMEFRAME

Week 0   Pre-application meeting
Week 1    Submit petition and application to City Clerk and CPC
Week 3   CPC prepares, publishes and disseminates public hearing notice (15 day statutory notice required)
Week 5   CPC public hearing
Week 7   CPC Action (It may take additional meetings of the CPC to resolve issues with the given request. The time line will be extended accordingly)
Week 8   Prepare rezoning draft ordinance and submit legal description to City Engineering Division of DPW
Week 10  Submit draft ordinance, including the approved legal description, to the Law Department for review and approval as to form by the Law Department
Week 12  Submit report and ordinance to City Clerk and City Council upon return of ordinance from the Law Department
Week 13  City Council Formal Session – Refer report and ordinance to Planning and Economic Development (PED) Standing Committee of City Council
Week 13  PED Standing Committee receives report and ordinance and determines how to proceed (set discussion or public hearing, both send back to Commission or…..)
Week 14  City Council Formal Session – Introduce ordinance and set public hearing (assuming no problems at Committee level)
Week 15  City Clerk prepares, publishes and disseminates public hearing notice (15 day statutory notice required)
Week 17  Public hearing held before PED Standing Committee – Recommendation made to Formal Session
Week 18  City Council - Formal Session – Action (assuming approval)
Week 19  City Clerks submits to Mayor’s office (assuming approval)
Week 20 Clerk prepares and publishes notice of enactment
Week 21  Zoning amendment effective 8 days after publication of notice of enactment or any specified date thereafter as may be determined

Note: This process and the timeframe herein presented can be shortened or lengthened depending upon a number of variables including: pre-application preparedness, actual start date, calendar, meeting availability/schedule changes, staff workload, other related approvals/prerequisites, timely provision of required data and materials by petitioner, etc. City Planning Commission meetings are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 5:00 PM. City Council Formal Sessions are held on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. PED (Planning and Economic Development) Standing Committee meetings are held on Thursdays at 10:00 AM.

Applications

Standard Rezoning Application

PD / PC / PCA Zoning Change 

Petition for Map Amendment