Belleville City Zoning Code
§ 23-18.3
Accessory Buildings and Structures.
[Ord. No. 3134; amended 6-4-2018 by Ord. No. 3495; 11-25-2025 by Ord. No. 64-25]
a.
A development permit is required to be obtained prior to the installation of any accessory use or structure. Accessory uses and structures shall be permitted in all districts subject to the following provisions.
1.
No accessory building shall be constructed or erected on a lot which does not contain a principal or main building. No accessory building structure, or part thereof, shall be used for dwelling purposes.
2.
No accessory building or structure on a corner shall interfere with safe sight distance for vehicular traffic at an intersection.
3.
An accessory building may be located in any required side or rear yard, provided that a minimum setback of two feet is maintained to any property line unless otherwise permitted by this chapter.
4.
No accessory structure in a nonresidential zone shall be taller than 20 feet unless otherwise provided for in this chapter. No accessory structure may exceed the height of the principal structure on the lot. A carriage house as defined in this chapter in any zone shall be a maximum of 24 feet in height.
5.
Coverage. The accessory buildings shall have a cumulative ground floor gross area less than the ground floor gross area of the principal or main building.
6.
No more than three accessory structures shall be erected on any lot. For the purposes of this section only, a fence shall not be considered an accessory structure.
b.
Storage sheds in residential zones:
1.
When a lot is equal to or smaller than 10,000 square feet, there shall be a maximum of one shed on the property of no more than 150 square feet.
2.
For lot sizes over 10,000 square feet there may up to two sheds, with cumulative area not to exceed 250 square feet.
3.
Any shed must be exclusively used by the occupants of the principal building to which the shed is accessory, and may only contain items customarily associated with residential use such as, but not limited to, personal items, lawnmowers, tools and hardware.
4.
Sheds shall not be physically connected to a principal structure.
5.
Any shed shall be a maximum of 10 feet in height.
6.
Sheds shall be set back from side and rear lot lines a minimum of one foot.
c.
Garages. A detached one- or two-car garage of maximum 550 square feet (22 feet by 25 feet) shall be permitted on single- and two-family lots. The maximum height for garages, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, shall be 14 feet. The minimum setback shall be one foot.
d.
Carports. A carport of maximum 200 square feet (10 feet by 20 feet) for storage of one vehicle shall be permitted on single- and two-family lots in all residential districts. Carports shall maintain a setback of one foot from side and rear property lines; however, if there is no garage and available side yard, the carport may be constructed up to 0.5 feet from the side lot line. Carports may not be physically connected to a principal structure. The maximum height for carports shall be 14 feet.
e.
Porches. Porches shall be permitted in front yard areas, as well as side and rear yards as noted in this chapter. Porches shall not be closer than 10 feet to the front property line. The required setbacks shall be measured from the foundation of the principal use. Porches shall not be heated or air conditioned and at least 50% of the exterior wall area shall be open and nonglazed.
f.
Decks and Patios. For residential structures, decks and patios shall not be located in a front yard but may be located in the required side or rear yard, provided they are no closer than two feet from the rear lot line or closer than two feet to the side lot line. Rooftop decks shall be permitted, provided that it is set back a minimum of five feet from the front of the building.
g.
Generators and Condensers. In all residential districts, back-up generators and air-conditioning condensers shall be permitted to be installed in side and rear yards only with minimum setbacks from property lines of five feet. Such generators and condensers are exempt from decibel-level noise restrictions.
h.
Home office. Home offices shall be a permitted accessory use in all residential units.
i.
Home profession. Home professions shall be permitted accessory uses in all R residential districts.
j.
Cabanas, gazebos, and pergolas. Cabanas, gazebos, and pergolas shall not exceed 10 feet in height, nor 150 square feet in gross floor area, with a minimum side and rear yard setback of four feet.
k.
Pervious pavers. The use of pervious pavers for residential driveways, patios, and walkways is permitted. When pervious pavers are used, the pavers shall be included in the lot coverage calculation. When pavers are used for residential driveways, patios, or walkways, the maximum permitted lot coverage may be increased by 10%. Any application for the installation of pervious pavers shall include a paver maintenance plan to ensure that the pavers will remain viable in providing for drainage. Any use of pervious pavers is subject to approval by the Township Engineer in addition to the Zoning Officer.
