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Royal Oak Township, MI Accessory Structures: ADU Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified October 2026

ADU rules in Royal Oak Township, MI, also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances, cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.

Key Facts

Governing rule: § 32-766(a), Accessory apartment dwelling
Occupancy: Owner-occupied residences only
Number allowed: One accessory dwelling per zoning lot
Maximum floor area: 600 square feet total
Parking: One additional space beyond the principal residence
Approval in R-1A and R-1B: Special land use under § 32-388(b)(1)

ADU Eligibility Quick-Check

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent living unit on the same lot as a single-family home: converted garages, detached cottages, basement or attic conversions, and attached additions all qualify. Most states have streamlined ADU permitting since 2020, but local rules still control size, height, and setback.

Is your lot zoned single-family or multi-family residential?
Does your lot have at least 1,200 sq ft of buildable space?
Is your existing home owner-occupied (in most states this is not required, but some require it for ADU permits)?
Will the ADU stay under your state's size cap (commonly 850-1,200 sq ft for detached)?
Can you provide one off-street parking space (waived in many states within 0.5 mi of transit)?

If you answered 'yes' to most of these, you likely qualify in Michigan under recent ADU streamlining laws. The Royal Oak Township, MI rules below cover local size, height, and setback requirements.

Summary

In the Charter Township of Royal Oak, Michigan, an accessory apartment dwelling is allowed only in an owner-occupied residence, one per zoning lot, with a total floor area not exceeding 600 square feet. It follows the district setbacks, needs one extra parking space, and in the R-1A and R-1B districts it is a special land use.

(a) Accessory apartment dwelling. An accessory apartment dwelling as defined in section 32-4, shall comply with the following regulations: (1) Incidental use to residence. The accessory apartment shall be clearly incidental to the principal residence on the site. Accordingly, the following conditions shall apply: a. Accessory apartments shall be established in owner-occupied residences only. b. Only one such accessory dwelling shall be permitted on each zoning lot. c. The total floor area of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 600 square feet. (2) Setbacks and placement on the parcel. An accessory dwelling shall comply with all setback requirements for the district in which it is located. ... (4) Parking and access. In addition to required parking for the principal residence, one additional parking space shall be provided for the accessory dwelling.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 32-766(a) of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code sets the standards for an accessory apartment dwelling, defined in section 32-4 as a dwelling unit accessory to and typically contained within a conventional single family dwelling, occupied by persons related to the occupant of the principal residence by blood, marriage or legal adoption, or by domestic servants or gratuitous guests.

Three conditions make the unit incidental to the principal residence. Accessory apartments shall be established in owner-occupied residences only. Only one such accessory dwelling is permitted on each zoning lot. The total floor area of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 600 square feet.

Placement and appearance are controlled next. An accessory dwelling shall comply with all setback requirements for the district in which it is located. Its design shall not detract from the single-family character and appearance of the principal residence or the surrounding neighborhood. It shall not have a front entrance visible from the front yard, other than the entrance that serves the principal residence, and when viewed from the outside it shall not appear that more than one household occupies the site. Parking is additive: in addition to required parking for the principal residence, one additional parking space shall be provided for the accessory dwelling.

The approval route matters. In the R-1A and R-1B one-family residential districts, § 32-388(b)(1) lists an accessory apartment as a special land use subject to the provisions in section 32-766, and special land uses are subject to review and approval of the site plan, any special conditions imposed during review, and the provisions of article II of the zoning chapter. Because a detached accessory building in a residential district is limited to one story and 14 feet in height under the accessory building standards, and the accessory apartment must meet the district setbacks, the Building Official checks both sets of rules at permit review.

Violations & Fines

A violation of the zoning chapter is a misdemeanor under § 32-262: a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both, with each day a separate offense. The owner, occupant, contractor and anyone who assists can each be found guilty of a separate offense, and prosecution costs are assessed. A use carried on in violation of the chapter is a nuisance per se under § 32-260, and the Building Official can seek court action under § 32-263.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can an accessory apartment be in Royal Oak Township?

The total floor area of the accessory dwelling shall not exceed 600 square feet under § 32-766(a)(1)c. Only one such dwelling is permitted on each zoning lot, and it must be clearly incidental to the principal residence on the site.

Do I have to live in the house to have an accessory apartment?

Yes. Section 32-766(a)(1)a says accessory apartments shall be established in owner-occupied residences only. The definition in section 32-4 also limits occupants to persons related to the principal residence's occupant by blood, marriage or legal adoption, or domestic servants or gratuitous guests.

Can the apartment have its own front door?

Not one visible from the front yard. The accessory dwelling shall not have a front entrance visible from the front yard, other than the entrance that serves the principal residence. When viewed from the outside, it shall not appear that more than one household occupies the site.

Is an accessory apartment allowed by right in R-1A and R-1B?

No. Section 32-388(b)(1) lists an accessory apartment as a special land use in the R-1A and R-1B one-family districts, subject to section 32-766, site plan review and any special conditions imposed during review. The apartment must also meet all setbacks for its district and add one parking space.

Sources & Official References

[1]Code of Ordinances, Charter Township of Royal Oak, MI (eCode360)

Other rules in Royal Oak Township

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Shed & Carport RulesSome Restrictions Garage ConversionsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome Restrictions

All Royal Oak Township rules

How Royal Oak Township compares: Easiest Cities to Build an ADU·Compare Royal Oak Township to another location·View the Michigan accessory structures overview

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