Zoning / Special Land Use

The Zoning Division conducts plan reviews and public hearings for Conditional Land Uses per the City of Detroit Zoning Ordinance. Conditional Land Uses may be subject to developmental conditions resultant of the plan review process. The Zoning Division also conducts historical research for the purpose of zoning verification.

The Zoning Ordinance is adopted by the City of Detroit for the following purposes:

To promote and protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community;
To classify all buildings, structures and land in such a manner as to reflect its peculiar suitability for particular uses;
To regulate the location, construction, reconstruction, alteration, and use of buildings, structures, and land;
To ensure adequate light, air, privacy, and convenience of access to property;
To maintain property values;
To set reasonable standards to which buildings, structures, and uses shall conform;
To require off-street parking of motor vehicles and appropriate loading and unloading of commercial vehicles;
To define the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies;
To provide penalties for violations of this Ordinance; and,
To provide for a Board of Zoning Appeals

Zoning Ordinance

Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code

Zoning Portal

Learn if a location is zoned for your type of business

Zoning Verification Letter

Verify legal land uses

CONTACTS

Jayda Philson

Manager of BSEED Zoning Division

(313) 224-1317, Fax: (313) 628-2909

[email protected]

Zoning Division Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue, Zoning Counter, Room 407 Detroit, MI, 48226

Documents

Detroit Zoning Map Index

Zoning Appeals Fees

Zoning Permit Fees

Neighborhood Petition Guidelines

Guidelines for neighborhood petition required to waive the restriction on certain uses being within 500 feet of residentially zoned land.

Requirements for Salvage Yards, Junkyards and Used Auto Parts Sales

Forms

Site Plan Review Checklist

Checklist to be completed during site plan review

Special Land Use Hearing Application

Please create an account for our Electric Licensing and Permitting System (eLAPS) to apply for a Special Land Use Hearing

Once you have created an account you can apply by:

Selecting the PLANNING tab
Select CREATE AN APPLICATION
Select the record type Hearings
Select Special Land Use

Zoning Verification Letter Application

For further information about zoning verification letters, click here.

Application For Appeal

Board of Zoning Appeals Application for Appeal

Zoning / Special Land Use FAQ

Neighborhood petition process

A neighborhood petition is required to waive the restriction on certain uses being within 500 feet of residentially zoned land.

The applicant is required to follow BSEED's written procedure, to use the supplied petition forms, to pay appropriate fees, and to successfully secure the signatures of at least 2/3 (67%) of all those persons eligible to sign such petition.

Failure to obtain the required number of signatures means that the project may not proceed to site plan review or a public hearing.

Neighborhood Petitions must be picked up from the Zoning Division in room 407.

Neighborhood Petition Guidelines

Requirements for salvage yards, junkyards and used auto parts sales

Requirements for Salvage Yards, Junkyards and Used Auto Parts Sales

Public hearing process

After a project has been submitted and passed Site Plan Review, the required public hearing is scheduled. Notice of the public hearing must be mailed to all residents, property owners, and businesses within 300 radial feet of the proposed Conditional Land Use, published in the Detroit Legal News, and posted on the property. The State of Michigan Zoning Enabling Act requires at least 15 days advance notice of such public hearings.

Special Land Use public hearings are typically scheduled on Wednesday mornings starting at 9:00 a.m. and every half hour thereafter. The number of hearings on a given Wednesday varies but is usually between two and six. The fee is currently $1,000.00.

Hearing Agenda:

The hearing officer announces the details of the hearing
A staff report is given by a BSEED building inspector
The development team provides a presentation on their proposal
A Planning & Development Department (P&DD) city planner gives a report and recommendation
The public is given the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the proposal

No decision is made at the hearing. Within 2-3 weeks, the hearing officer drafts a decision letter incorporating P&DD's recommendation, discussion from the hearing, and the specific approval criteria for Conditional Land Uses (Section 61-3-231).

The decision letter will be mailed to the applicant, everyone who attended the hearing, and everyone who submitted a written comment regarding the proposed land use. Any decision letter may be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) per Section 61-3-242 within 14 days of the decision date.

If there is no appeal, the decision letter becomes effective. The applicant must then record it at the Wayne County Register of Deeds and file a building permit with BSEED to change the use and perform any construction work. After all required inspections are passed, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

Finally, if the proposed land use requires a Business License, such license can be applied for and issued. Only then may the new use be opened and operated.

Site plan review

Site Plan Review (SPR) is mandated by the City of Detroit Zoning Ordinance Chapter 61 in several specific instances including all Conditional Land Uses (Section 61-3-113). Depending on the zoning district, either the Planning and Development Department (P&DD) or City Council (through the City Planning Commission) has the power to review and approve site plans. BSEED is authorized to participate in the review process.

To apply for SPR, three sets of properly dimensioned and drawn-to-scale Site, Floor, and Elevation Plans must be submitted along with the appropriate fee ($100.00 for Conditional Uses and $160.00 for all other uses) to the Plan Review Division, Room 409. Staff will review the plans for compliance with zoning, design, and operational requirements, typically within 10 days of receipt of a complete submission package. The applicant will be informed of necessary modifications, alterations, and/or improvements or, if the plans meet all standards, they will be approved and the public hearing will be scheduled (if required).

Featured

Updated

Documents

Detroit Zoning Map Index

Zoning Appeals Fees

Zoning Permit Fees

Neighborhood Petition Guidelines

Requirements for Salvage Yards, Junkyards and Used Auto Parts Sales

Forms

Site Plan Review Checklist

Special Land Use Hearing Application

Zoning Verification Letter Application

Application For Appeal

Zoning / Special Land Use FAQ

Zoning Verification Letters

Zoning Map Index

Medical Marihuana

Zoning / Special Land Use

Featured

Updated

Related Links

Documents

Forms

Zoning / Special Land Use FAQ