Westland, MI Accessory Structures: ADU Owner Occupancy (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy rule
- Owner must live in ADU or home
- ADUs per lot
- One only
- Restriction duration
- Runs with land, binds future owners
- Eligible lots
- Single-family lots only
Summary
Westland requires the property owner to occupy either the accessory dwelling unit or the principal home before an ADU can get a certificate of occupancy, recorded as a deed restriction.
j. Deed restrictions. Before the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the ADU, the property owner shall file with the Planning Department documentation of recorded deed restrictions which incorporate the following restrictions:
(1) The property owner shall occupy either the ADU or the principal single-family dwelling on the lot.
(2) ADUs shall not be transferred, conveyed, devised, rented, or leased separately from the single- family dwelling on the same lot as the ADU.
(3) The deed restrictions shall run with the land, are binding upon any successor in ownership, and may only lapse upon the removal of the ADU.
k. Application for an ADU shall be made to the Planning Department and shall include the following information:
(1) A scaled and dimensioned site plan of the property showing: the location of all structures on the lot (principal and accessory structures); the proposed location of the ADU; setbacks of the proposed ADU from the property lines and all structures; designated off-street parking area for the ADU; and, landscaping or fencing for the ADU.
(2) A scaled and dimensioned floor plan of the ADU showing the following: kitchen; bathroom; sleeping area; entry stairs, porches, or entrances; total square footage of the ADU; and gross square footage of the principal dwelling.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Before the city issues a certificate of occupancy for an accessory dwelling unit, Westland's zoning ordinance requires the owner to record a deed restriction confirming they will live in either the ADU or the single-family home on the same lot: an investor cannot own the property and rent out both units. The restriction runs with the land, binds future owners, and can only lapse if the ADU is removed. Only one ADU is allowed per lot, and it must sit on a lot already holding a single-family home; ADUs are not permitted alongside two- or three-family dwellings.
Violations & Fines
Zoning ordinance violations, including occupying an ADU without the required recorded deed restriction, carry a fine up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my Westland house and live in the ADU?
Does the owner-occupancy restriction ever go away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westland
Compare Westland to another location·View the Michigan accessory structures overview
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