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.

Getting to the Finish Line

How to Obtain Site Plan Review
Step 1. Check if your project requires Site Plan Review in Section 50-3-113 of the Zoning Ordinance
Step 2. Apply online for Site Plan Review. Complete the application and pay associated fees. Site Plan Review fee is $160.
Selecting the PLANNING tab
Select CREATE AN APPLICATION
Select the record type Hearings
Select Special Land Use
Step 3. The Zoning Division will review your application & send your project to ProjectDox to review plans. Check your email for this confirmation.
Step 4. Upload required documents & plans to ProjectDox.
This may include: site plan & location map, floor plans, proof of ownership or legal interest in property, and other applicable materials
For the full list of what is required for Site Plan Review see Site Plan Review Checklist.
Apply here for Site Plan Review!
How to Schedule Special Land Use Hearings
Special Land Use Hearings are required for uses that are "conditional" in the specific zoning district. When you apply for your Special Land Use hearing it will include the required Site Plan Review.
Apply here for Special Land Use hearing!
Step 1. Login to your Elaps (Accela) account. Create an account if needed. Watch this video if you need assistance creating your account.
Step 2. Select "Planning" at the top of the screen
Step 3. Select "Create an application" at the top of the screen
Step 4. Check "I have read and accepted the above terms" then select Continue application
Step 5. Complete application & put in fee of $1,160
Step 6. Pay SLU fee
You will receive an email within 48 - 72 hours to create an Eplans (ProjectDox) account to upload your site, floor, and elevation plans and other required documents.
Unsure if your project is conditional? Check out our Zoning Portal to identify your use type & zoning district
You can also check the Zoning Ordinance.
How to Obtain Zoning Verification Letters
The Division conducts historical research for the purpose of zoning verification. The letters will identify:
zoning district(s)
legal uses
permissions for a specific use at specific parcel(s)
There is a fee of $93 per letter.
Apply here for your Zoning Verification Letter!

Marijuana Application For Special Land Use Hearing
Click on link below:
Marijuana Application for Special Land Use Hearing (smartsheet.com)

Special Land Use Hearings

BSEED Zoning Division will be holding Special Land Use Hearings:

April 23

9:00 AM

Case: SLU2025-00011

Address: 10150 Mack Ave. (PIN: 19000828.)

Proposed Use:

Discontinue the principal land use of Motor Vehicle Filling Station and elevate the accessory land use of Light Duty Vehicle Service Establishment to the principal use in an existing 1,488 square foot building and restore a 240 square foot shed for accessory Storage in a B4 (General Business) Zoning District.

9:30 AM

Case: SLU2025-00016

Address: 17600, 17610, & 17632 Chester St. (PIN: 21003486., 21003487., & 21003488.)

Proposed Use:

Establish a Neighborhood Center, Non-Profit in an existing 2,627 square foot building in an R1 (Single-Family Residential) Zoning District.

10:00 AM

Case: SLU2025-00015

Address: 6602, 6605, 6608, & 6614 Walton St. (PIN: 18003732., 18003733., 18003734., & 18003729.)

Proposed Use:

Establish a Neighborhood Center, Non-Profit in an existing buiding and expand its footprint from 4,540 square feet to 8,380 square feet, develop an Outdoor Recreation Facility on an adjacent vacant lot, and develop a 7-space Parking Lot on vacant land across the street in an R2 (Two-Family Residential) Zoning District.

https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/89517106887

Meeting ID: 895 1710 6887

Dial- In Number: 1-267-831-0333

March 27

9:00 AM

Case: SLU2025-00002

Address: 5938 Tireman Ave. (PIN: 16002120-1)

Proposed Use:

Establish a Marijuana Grower Facility in an existing 4,150 square foot building in an M4 (Intensive Industrial) Zoning District.

https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/86454754457

Meeting ID: 864 5475 4457

Dial- In Number: 1-267-831-0333

Zoning Portal

See where your project is allowed

Zoning Verification Letter

Verify legal land uses

Zoning Ordinance

Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code

Zoning / Special Land Use FAQ

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

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).

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.

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

Zoning / Special Land Use

Getting to the Finish Line

How to Obtain Site Plan Review

How to Schedule Special Land Use Hearings

How to Obtain Zoning Verification Letters

Marijuana Application For Special Land Use Hearing

Special Land Use Hearings

April 23

March 27

News & Events

Featured

Updated

Zoning / Special Land Use FAQ

Documents

How To Guide: Special Land Use Hearings

How To Guide: Special Land Use Hearings

How To Guide: Special Land Use Hearings

MMF Hearing: 1680 Clay

MMF Hearing: 1130 W. Grand Blvd.

MMF Hearing: 8301 St. Aubin

Forms

Zoning Verification Letter Application

Application For Appeal

Board of Zoning Appeals Application for Appeals

Petition Guidelines

Board of Zoning Appeals Hardship Relief Application

Site Plan Review Checklist

Zoning Map Index

Zoning Verification Letters

Zoning / Special Land Use

Getting to the Finish Line

How to Obtain Site Plan Review

Marijuana Application For Special Land Use Hearing

Special Land Use Hearings

April 23

March 27

News & Events

Featured

Updated

Related Links

Documents

Forms