ADU rules in Genesee County, MI — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Genesee County does not zone accessory dwelling units. Under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, your city, village, or township sets whether an ADU is allowed and its size, setbacks, and permit path. Check with your local zoning office.
Michigan is a home-rule/township-zoning state. Cities and villages zone within their borders; townships zone unincorporated land under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MZEA, MCL 125.3101 et seq.). A county may zone only where a township has not, which is rare in heavily-townshipped Genesee County (Flint, Grand Blanc, Burton, Davison, Fenton, Flushing, Swartz Creek, Mt. Morris). MCL 125.3209(1) confirms a township with its own zoning ordinance is not subject to a county ordinance. So ADU legality, owner-occupancy, unit size, and building-permit requirements are decided by your local municipality, not Genesee County government.
Building or occupying an unpermitted ADU is a local zoning/building-code violation; penalties, stop-work orders, and fines are set by your city or township ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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