Battle Creek, MI Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Section 1230.06(a)(3) of the Battle Creek Codified Ordinances defines an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a single-family dwelling unit detached home. Where an ADU is allowed depends on the district table in Chapter 1240.

In the R-1A district (section 1240.06), the accessory uses list reads Accessory Dwelling Unit attached to the primary dwelling, with SLU approval, meaning special land use approval. The R-1B and R-2 districts carry the same attached-with-SLU wording. For attached units in R-1A, the table says they must comply with the primary dwelling setback and height requirements: 30 feet front, 35 feet rear, 8 feet side, and a maximum height of 35 feet, 2.5 stories.

The R-3 Multiple Family Residential District (section 1240.09) is more open. Its accessory uses include an Accessory Dwelling Unit attached or detached from the primary dwelling, with no SLU wording in that line. Attached ADUs in R-3 follow the primary dwelling setbacks of 25 feet front, 25 feet rear and 5 feet side, and the primary height cap of 45 feet, 4 stories.

Detached ADUs in R-3 have their own table rows. They must be located in the rear yard, with an 8-foot rear yard setback and an 8-foot side yard setback. The maximum building height for a detached ADU is 20 ft., 1.5 stories. The table's footnote line sends readers to section 1241.03 for footnotes to the Schedule of Regulations, and says some uses have specific standards under section 1241.07 that overrule the dimensional regulations. The MFR high density district (section 1240.10) and the T-3 and T-4 downtown commercial districts list the same attached-or-detached ADU wording, with detached setback and height rows of their own.