Grand Rapids City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
CHAPTER 61
ZONING ORDINANCE1
Sections
- ARTICLE 1. - TITLE, PURPOSE AND SCOPE
- Sec. 5.1.01. - Title.
- Sec. 5.1.02. - Authority.
- Sec. 5.1.03. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.1.04. - Effective Date.
- Sec. 5.1.05. - Applicability.
- Sec. 5.1.06. - Vested Rights.
- Sec. 5.1.07. - Relationship to Adopted Plans.
- Sec. 5.1.08. - Relationship to Other Laws and Agreements.
- Sec. 5.1.09. - Conflicts Between Requirements.
- Sec. 5.1.10. - Headings and Illustrations.
- Sec. 5.1.11. - Severability.
- Sec. 5.1.12. - Transitional Provisions.
- ARTICLE 2. - GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Sec. 5.2.01. - Applicability.
- Sec. 5.2.02. - General Requirements.
- Sec. 5.2.03. - Alterations, Enlargements and Demolitions.
- Sec. 5.2.04. - Historic Landmark or Historic District.
- Sec. 5.2.05. - Lot and Yard Requirements.
- Sec. 5.2.06. - Building Height Measurements and Exceptions.
- Sec. 5.2.07. - Single-Family Dwellings, Detached.
- Sec. 5.2.08. - Accessory Structures.
- Sec. 5.2.09. - Swimming Pool Placement.
- Sec. 5.2.10. - Arbors and Trellises.
- Sec. 5.2.11. - Fences and Walls.
- Sec. 5.2.12. - Repair and Storage of Vehicles in Residential Zone Districts.
- Sec. 5.2.13. - Commercial Waste Receptacles and Enclosures.
- Sec. 5.2.14. - Building Transparency.
- Sec. 5.2.15. - Clear Vision Areas.
- Sec. 5.2.16. - Street and Intersection Widening.
- Sec. 5.2.17. - Essential Services.
- Sec. 5.2.18. - Outdoor Canopies.
- Sec. 5.2.19. - Outdoor Lighting.
- Sec. 5.2.20. - Infrastructure and Service Needs.
- Sec. 5.2.21. - Satellite Dish Antennas.
- Sec. 5.2.22. - Backyard Chickens.
- Sec. 5.2.23. - State Universities.
- ARTICLE 3. - NONCONFORMING LOTS, BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND USES
- Sec. 5.3.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.3.02. - Nonconforming Lots of Record.
- Sec. 5.3.03. - Nonconforming Buildings or Structures.
- Sec. 5.3.04. - Nonconforming Building Elements.
- Sec. 5.3.05. - Nonconforming Uses.
- Sec. 5.3.06. - Nonconforming Site Elements.
- Sec. 5.3.07. - Nonconforming Signs.
- Sec. 5.3.08. - Nonconforming Wireless Communication Towers.
- ARTICLE 4. - MAPPED ZONE DISTRICTS
- ARTICLE 5. - RESIDENTIAL ZONE DISTRICTS
- Sec. 5.5.01. - Residential Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.5.02. - Traditional Neighborhood Residential Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.5.03. - Mid-20th Century Neighborhood Residential Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.5.04. - Modern Era Neighborhood Residential Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.5.05. - Uses of Land.
- Sec. 5.5.06. - Site Layout and Building Placement Requirements.
- Sec. 5.5.07. - Building Element Requirements.
- ARTICLE 6. - MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICTS
- Sec. 5.6.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.6.02. - Traditional Neighborhood Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.6.03. - Mid-20th Century Neighborhood Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.6.04. - Modern Era Neighborhood Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts: Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.6.05. - NOS, Neighborhood Office Service Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.6.06. - Uses of Land.
- Sec. 5.6.07. - Site Layout and Building Placement Requirements.
- Sec. 5.6.08. - Building Element Requirements.
- ARTICLE 7. - SPECIAL DISTRICTS
- Sec. 5.7.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.7.02. - Special District - Airport (SD-AP).
- Sec. 5.7.03. - Special District - Open Space (SD-OS).
- Sec. 5.7.04. - Special District - Industrial-Transportation (SD-IT).
- Sec. 5.7.05. - Special District - Institutional Campus (SD-IC).
- Sec. 5.7.06. - Special District - Planned Redevelopment District (SD-PRD).
- ARTICLE 8. - OVERLAY DISTRICTS
- Sec. 5.8.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.8.02. - Downtown Height Overlay District (OD-DH).
- Sec. 5.8.03. - Grand River Overlay District (OD-GR).
- Sec. 5.8.04. - East Beltline Overlay District (OD-EBL).
- Sec. 5.8.05. - Floodplain Overlay District (OD-FP).
- Sec. 5.8.06. - Wayfinding Signs Overlay District (OD-WS).
- Sec. 5.8.07. - Special Conditions Overlay District (OD-SC).
- ARTICLE 9. - USE REGULATIONS
- Sec. 5.9.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.9.02. - Applicability.
- Sec. 5.9.03. - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
- Sec. 5.9.04. - Adult Foster Care and Adult Day Care.
- Sec. 5.9.05. - Alcohol Sales and Consumption.
- Sec. 5.9.06. - Attached Single-Family and Two-Family Dwellings.
- Sec. 5.9.07. - Auditorium, Theatre and Banquet Hall.
- Sec. 5.9.08. - Bed and Breakfast.
- Sec. 5.9.09. - Child Care Center.
- Sec. 5.9.10. - Drive-In or Drive-Through Facility.
- Sec. 5.9.11. - Electrical Substations and Private Utilities.
- Sec. 5.9.12. - Live Entertainment.
- Sec. 5.9.13. - Helistops and Heliports.
- Sec. 5.9.14. - Home Occupations.
- Sec. 5.9.15. - Mobile Food Vending.
- Sec. 5.9.16. - Live-Work Units.
- Sec. 5.9.17. - Manufactured Housing Community.
- Sec. 5.9.18. - Materials Recovery, Recycling, Equipment Wrecking and Salvage.
- Sec. 5.9.19. - Marihuana Facilities.
- Sec. 5.9.20. - Multiple-Family Dwellings.
- Sec. 5.9.21. - Mineral Extraction.
- Sec. 5.9.22. - Outdoor Activities (Excluding Vehicle Sale/Lease or Rental).
- Sec. 5.9.23. - Outdoor Recreation Fields.
- Sec. 5.9.24. - Outdoor Seating Areas.
- Sec. 5.9.25. - Overhead Walkways or Other Connections.
- Sec. 5.9.26. - Parking Structures.
- Sec. 5.9.27. - Recycling Collection Stations.
- Sec. 5.9.28. - Regulated Uses.
- Sec. 5.9.29. - Residential Rehabilitation Facilities.
- Sec. 5.9.30. - Rooming and Boarding Houses.
- Sec. 5.9.31. - Self-Storage Facilities.
- Sec. 5.9.32. - Single Room Occupancy (SRO).
- Sec. 5.9.33. - Social or Service Clubs; Motorcycle Clubs.
- Sec. 5.9.34. - Social Service Facilities.
- Sec. 5.9.35. - Temporary Structures and Uses.
- Sec. 5.9.36. - Transitional or Emergency Shelters.
- Sec. 5.9.38. - Vehicle Fuel Stations (without vehicle service or repair, may include a convenience store or other retail use).
- Sec. 5.9.39. - Vehicle Sales/Leasing and Automobile Rental.
- Sec. 5.9.40. - Vehicle Service or Repair.
- Sec. 5.9.41. - Wireless Communication Facilities.
- Sec. 5.9.42. - Zoo.
- ARTICLE 10. - TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
- Sec. 5.10.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.10.02. - Off-Street Parking: General Requirements.
- Sec. 5.10.03. - Off-Street Parking: Design Requirements.
- Sec. 5.10.04. - Off-Street Parking: Space Requirements.
- Sec. 5.10.05. - Off-Street Parking: Reductions in Parking Requirements.
- Sec. 5.10.06. - Loading/Unloading Spaces.
- Sec. 5.10.07. - Mobility and Circulation.
- Sec. 5.10.08. - Pedestrian Access and Circulation.
- Sec. 5.10.09. - Transit Access and Amenities.
- Sec. 5.10.10. - Bicycle Facilities.
- Sec. 5.10.11. - Private Streets.
- ARTICLE 11. - LANDSCAPING AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
- Sec. 5.11.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.11.02. - Applicability.
- Sec. 5.11.03. - Landscape Plan Submittal Requirements.
- Sec. 5.11.04. - Landscape Plan Review Standards and Administrative Departures.
- Sec. 5.11.05. - Natural Feature Protection: Site Grading and Steep Slopes.
- Sec. 5.11.06. - Natural Feature Protection: Water Resource Protection.
- Sec. 5.11.07. - General Standards for Landscaping and Planting.
- Sec. 5.11.08. - Plant Material Requirements.
- Sec. 5.11.09. - Minimum Tree Canopy.
- Sec. 5.11.10. - Tree Preservation and Protection Requirements.
- Sec. 5.11.11. - Parking and Loading Area Landscape Requirements.
- Sec. 5.11.12. - Landscape Buffers.
- Sec. 5.11.13. - Streetscape Design Standards.
- Sec. 5.11.14. - Urban Open Space.
- Sec. 5.11.15. - Alternative Energy.
- ARTICLE 12. - APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
- Sec. 5.12.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.12.02. - Summary of Authorities and Review Procedures, Effect of Decisions.
- Sec. 5.12.03. - Optional Director Pre-Application Meeting.
- Sec. 5.12.04. - General Application Requirements.
- Sec. 5.12.05. - Public Notification and Hearings.
- Sec. 5.12.06. - Neighborhood Meeting.
- Sec. 5.12.07. - Planning Commission Pre-Hearing Conference.
- Sec. 5.12.08. - Site Plan Review.
- Sec. 5.12.09. - Special Land Uses.
- Sec. 5.12.10. - Zoning Ordinance Text and Map Amendments.
- Sec. 5.12.11. - Conditional Rezoning.
- Sec. 5.12.12. - Planned Redevelopment District (PRD) Review, Approval and Amendment.
- Sec. 5.12.13. - Site Condominiums.
- Sec. 5.12.14. - Optional Plan Review (OPR) Procedures.
- Sec. 5.12.15. - Master Plan Amendment.
- Sec. 5.12.16. - Administrative Approvals: Administrative Departures, Director Review, Counter Review, Qualified Review, and State University Plan Approvals.
- ARTICLE 13. - VARIANCES, APPEALS AND INTERPRETATION PROCEDURES
- ARTICLE 14. - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Sec. 5.14.01. - Authority of the Planning Director and City Manager.
- Sec. 5.14.02. - Development Compliance and LUDS Permits.
- Sec. 5.14.03. - Permits and Licenses.
- Sec. 5.14.04. - Performance Guarantees.
- Sec. 5.14.05. - Violations.
- Sec. 5.14.06. - Responsibility.
- Sec. 5.14.07. - Enforcement Powers.
- Sec. 5.14.08. - Enforcement Process.
- Sec. 5.14.09. - Enforcement Appeals.
- Sec. 5.14.10. - Transfer of Ownership.
- Sec. 5.14.11. - Enforcement Fees.
- ARTICLE 15. - SIGNS
- Sec. 5.15.01. - Purpose and Intent.
- Sec. 5.15.02. - Applicability.
- Sec. 5.15.03. - Nonconforming and Abandoned Signs; Billboard Exchange Program.
- Sec. 5.15.04. - General Provisions.
- Sec. 5.15.05. - Sign Measurements.
- Sec. 5.15.06. - Sign Restrictions.
- Sec. 5.15.07. - Permitted Signs in All Zone Districts.
- Sec. 5.15.08. - Planned Sign Program.
- Sec. 5.15.09. - Community Event Signs.
- Sec. 5.15.10. - Changeable Copy Signs.
- Sec. 5.15.11. - Signs in Residential Zone Districts.
- Sec. 5.15.12. - Signs in Mixed-Use Commercial Zone Districts.
- Sec. 5.15.13. - Signs in Special and Overlay Districts.
- Sec. 5.15.14. - Permits, Application Requirements, and Approval.
- Sec. 5.15.15. - Sign Variances.
- Sec. 5.15.16. - Enforcement and Fees.
- Sec. 5.15.17. - Sign Definitions.
- ARTICLE 16. - DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 62
PLANNING COMMISSION1
Sections
- Sec. 5.291. - Planning Commission.
- Sec. 5.292. - Members.
- Sec. 5.293. - Commission Organization.
- Sec. 5.294. - Employees, Consultants.
- Sec. 5.295. - Master Plan.
- Sec. 5.296. - Adoption of Plan.
- Sec. 5.297. - Streets, Parks, Buildings; Approval.
- Sec. 5.298. - Rescinding Action; Implementing Plan.
- Sec. 5.299. - Promoting Plan.
- Sec. 5.300. - Subdivision Regulations.
- Sec. 5.301. - Plat Approval.
- Sec. 5.302. - Capital Improvements Program.
CHAPTER 64
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS1
Sections
- ARTICLE 1. - GENERAL SUBDIVISION PLATTING REGULATIONS
- ARTICLE 2. - PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION AND FILING OF PLATS
- Sec. 5.330. - Application.
- Sec. 5.331. - Preliminary Plat.
- Sec. 5.332. - Tentative and Final Approval of Preliminary Plat.
- Sec. 5.333. - Record or Final Plat.
- Sec. 5.334. - Additional Requirements.
- Sec. 5.335. - Conformity with Statutes, Code, City Plans and City Requirements.
- Sec. 5.336. - Streets.
- Sec. 5.337. - Street and Subdivision Names.
- Sec. 5.338. - Alleys.
- Sec. 5.339. - Marginal Access Streets.
- Sec. 5.340. - Residential Blocks.
- Sec. 5.341. - Lots.
- Sec. 5.342. - Improvements.
- Sec. 5.343. - Variances.
- Sec. 5.344. - Procedure for a Variance.
- Sec. 5.345. - Compliance Required.
- ARTICLE 3. - LAND DIVISION REGULATIONS
- Sec. 5.346. - Title.
- Sec. 5.347. - Purpose and Scope.
- Sec. 5.348. - Definitions.
- Sec. 5.349. - Prior Approval Requirement for Land Divisions and Transfers.
- Sec. 5.350. - Application for Approval.
- Sec. 5.351. - Procedure for Review of Applications for Approval.
- Sec. 5.352. - Standards for Approval.
- Sec. 5.353. - Allowance for Approval of Other Land Divisions/Transfers.
- Sec. 5.354. - Consequences of Noncompliance with the Land Division/Transfer Approval Requirement.
- Sec. 5.355. - Penalties and enforcement.
- Sec. 5.356. - Severability.
CHAPTER 67
LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES1
Sections
- ARTICLE 1. - GENERAL
- ARTICLE 2. - LUDS PERMIT AND APPLICATION
- ARTICLE 3. - ENFORCEMENT
CHAPTER 68
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION1
Sections
- Sec. 5.391. - Short Title.
- Sec. 5.392. - Purpose.
- Sec. 5.393. - Definitions.
- Sec. 5.394. - Historic Preservation Commission.
- Sec. 5.395. - Permits.
- Sec. 5.396. - Acceptance of Gift or Grant.
- Sec. 5.397. - Right of Appeal.
- Sec. 5.398. - Historic District Study Committee.
- Sec. 5.399. - Historic Districts.
- Sec. 5.400. - Historic Landmark Roster.
- Sec. 5.401. - Advice and Guidance to Property Owners.
- Sec. 5.402. - Other Duties.
- Sec. 5.403. - Acquisition of Historic Resources.
- Sec. 5.404. - Violations of Chapter.
- Sec. 5.405. - Enforcement Fees.
- Secs. 5.406—5.409. - Reserved.
- Sec. 5.410. - Indian Mounds Historic District.
- Sec. 5.411. - Heritage Hill Historic District.
- Sec. 5.412. - St. Cecilia Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.413. - Art Museum—Pike House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.414. - Turner House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.415. - Ryerson Public Library Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.416. - Calkins Law Office Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.417. - Voigt House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.418. - Fulton Street Cemetery Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.419. - St. Andrew's Catholic Cemetery Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.420. - German-English School House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.422. - Ledyard Building Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.423. - Old Federal Building (U.S. Courthouse) Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.424. - Cobblestone Portion of Trowbridge Street N.E. Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.425. - Cobblestone Portion of North Avenue N.E. Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.426. - St. Andrew's Catholic Cathedral Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.427. - Ladies Literary Club Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.428. - Oakhill Cemetery Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.429. - First (Park) Congregational Church Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.430. - Veteran's Memorial (Fulton Street) Park Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.431. - Monument Park/Civil War Memorial Site Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.432. - John Ball Memorial Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.433. - Woodlawn Cemetery Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.434. - Garfield's House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.435. - Garfield's Grave Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.436. - Uhl-hall House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.437. - Shanahan House Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.438. - Seventh Day Adventist Church Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.439. - Fountain Street Church.
- Sec. 5.440. - Briggs Farm Homestead.
- Sec. 5.441. - Fire Engine House No. 6.
- Sec. 5.442. - Greenwood Cemetery.
- Sec. 5.443. - Moses V. Aldrich Memorial.
- Sec. 5.444. - Belknap Statue.
- Sec. 5.445. - Jacob Aman Grave Site.
- Sec. 5.446. - Campau Trading Post Site Tablet.
- Sec. 5.447. - Indian Mission Site Tablet.
- Sec. 5.448. - Garfield Park Lodge.
- Sec. 5.449. - Heartside Historic District.
- Sec. 5.450. - The Holmdene Estate Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.451. - The Castle Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.452. - Coit Elementary School Landmark.
- Sec. 5.453. - Monroe Water Filtration Plant Landmark.
- Sec. 5.454. - Rapistan Schoolhouse Landmark.
- Sec. 5.455. - Grand Rapids Study Clubhouse Landmark.
- Sec. 5.456. - Former Fire Engine House No. 9 Landmark.
- Sec. 5.457. - Fitch House Landmark.
- Sec. 5.458. - Calumet Flats Landmark.
- Sec. 5.459. - Karl (Aldrich) Building Landmark.
- Sec. 5.460. - Church of God in Christ Landmark.
- Sec. 5.461. - Flat Iron Building Landmark.
- Sec. 5.462. - Commercial Building Landmarks.
- Sec. 5.463. - Charles C. Comstock House.
- Sec. 5.464. - Reserved.
- Sec. 5.465. - Former Clark/Wurzburg House.
- Sec. 5.466. - George W. Welsh Civic Auditorium.
- Sec. 5.467. - Meyer May House.
- Sec. 5.468. - Villa Maria.
- Sec. 5.469. - Louis Campau Gravesite.
- Sec. 5.470. - Hebe Fountain.
- Sec. 5.471. - Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home.
- Sec. 5.472. - Calder Sculpture La Grande Vitesse.
- Sec. 5.473. - Grand Rapids—Indiana Railroad Bridge.
- Sec. 5.474. - Boulevard House.
- Sec. 5.475. - Sixth Street Bridge.
- Sec. 5.476. - Former Wealthy Theatre.
- Sec. 5.477. - Cherry Hill Historic District.
- Sec. 5.478. - Charles A. Hauser Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.479. - Wealthy Theater Historic District.
- Sec. 5.480. - Aldrich Block Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.481. - Peck Block Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.482. - Fairmount Square Historic District.
- Sec. 5.483 - Berkey and Gay Company Furniture Factory Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.484. - 400—406 Bridge Street NW Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.485. - The Michigan Trust Company Building Historic Landmark.
- Sec. 5.486. - American Seating Company Historic District.
- Sec. 5.487. - Metal Office Furniture Company Historic District.
- Sec. 5.488. - Mathias Alten House Historic District.
- Sec. 5.489. - Rood Building Historic District.
- Sec. 5.490. - Century Furniture Building Historic District.
- Sec. 5.491. - Congress School Historic District—940 Baldwin SE Historic District and Expansion of the Fairmount Square Historic District to Include Congress School—940 Baldwin SE.