The City Planning Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on the physical, social and economic development of the City including the Five-Year Capital Agenda, Master Plan, and other proposals and ordinances for the regulation of development and land use, as required by the City Charter. The City Council may adopt the recommendations or reject them. The CPC also conducts public hearings on proposed map amendments (rezonings) and text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. These amendments are typically requested by developers, but changes are also initiated by residents, other city departments, and CPC staff.

The City Planning Commission consists of nine (9) members who are appointed by the City Council to three-year terms. Members serve without pay and must be residents of Detroit. Learn more about the Commission and its members on the About the City Planning Commission page.

Proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance 

Sixth General Text Amendment - A collection of smaller unrelated changes, many in response to specific requests from the public, Commissioners, Council Members, and City staff or to correct errors, or in response to changes in State or local law. Public Hearings were held at the CPC on May 16, and October 3, 2024. CPC voted to recommend approval on 10/3/24 and the City Council public hearing is scheduled for 10/16/25. Links to report and ordinance.

Institutional Building Adaptive Reuse - The City Planning Commission staff is working with the Planning & Development Department to develop proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance to make it easier to reuse existing public, civic, and institutional buildings. Find out more about Adaptive Reuse at detroitmi.gov/AdaptiveReuse. A public hearing was held at the CPC on June 26, 2025 and the CPC voted to recommend approval. The City Council public hearing is scheduled for 11/6/25. Links to report and ordinance.

Screening and Fencing - An amendment to streamline and update the current set of landscaping and screening requirements that apply to a limited set of specific land uses and site features, and to modernize related fence and wall standards for nonresidential uses with the goal of proactively improving the appearance of commercial and industrial properties and corridors. A public hearing was held before the City Council at the PED Committee on 6/5/25 and continued to 6/26/25. City Council has not yet voted on this ordinance. Link to report and ordinance. 

Housing and Parking Amendment - Also known as "Let's Build More Housing Amendment". This Ordinance was requested by the office of the Chief Operating Officer in an effort to encourage and facilitate the development of more housing in the City to address the national housing crisis. Public hearings were held at the CPC on July 31, and October 2, 2025 and the CPC voted to recommend approval on 10/2/25. A public hearing before City Council has not been scheduled yet. Links to report and ordinance.

ZONEDETROIT

The City Planning Commission is pleased to announce the start of an important project called ZoneDetroit. The project is led by an experienced team of planners from the City Planning Commission staff, supported by an expert team of consultants. ZoneDetroit will modernize the existing Zoning Ordinance, providing an opportunity to refresh and rethink the existing regulations. ZoneDetroit will engage the community as part of the process to ensure local values and preferences are reflected in the finished product. For additional information, please visit the project website: ZoneDetroit.com.