How Farmington Hills Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Farmington Hills maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Farmington Hills falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Carport Rules

Carports in Farmington Hills are accessory structures regulated under Chapter 34 of the Zoning Ordinance. A building permit is required for any carport that is structurally attached, has a permanent foundation, or exceeds 200 square feet. Carports must observe accessory-structure setback and yard placement rules and may not be placed in required front yards.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes for permanent carports / >200 sq ft / structurally attached. Code Reference: Chapter 34 Zoning (accessory structures) + Chapter 7 Building. Allowed Location: Side or rear yard — not in required front yard. Attached Carport: Must meet principal-dwelling setbacks. Enclosure: Enclosing carport requires separate permit (becomes garage).

Erecting a permanent carport without a building permit violates Chapter 7 of the City Code. Improperly placed carports — in front yards, encroaching on setbacks, or exceeding lot coverage — violate Chapter 34 and are enforceable by Zoning and Code Enforcement. Penalties include removal orders and general penalty fines under Chapter 1.

ADU Rules

Farmington Hills does not have an accessory dwelling unit ordinance — separate ADUs are not a permitted accessory use in single-family districts under Chapter 34. Michigan currently has no statewide ADU mandate; House Bills 5529-5532 and HB 5585 of the 2025-2026 Housing Forward Act package would create one but remained in House Committee as of early 2026.

Key details: Local ADU Ordinance: None — not a permitted accessory use. Code Reference: Chapter 34 Zoning — single-family districts (RA-1 through RA-4). Internal In-Law Arrangement: Permitted only as part of the single principal dwelling. State Mandate (Current): None — Michigan has no statewide ADU requirement. Pending Legislation: MI HB 5529-5532, HB 5585 (Housing Forward Act, in House Committee as of Feb 2026).

Building or occupying an unpermitted second dwelling unit on a single-family lot is a Chapter 34 Zoning Ordinance violation enforceable by Zoning and Code Enforcement. Penalties include orders to remove the second unit, denial of certificates of occupancy, and general penalty fines under Chapter 1 of the City Code.

Compared to other cities, Farmington Hills takes a harder line on adu rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tiny Homes

Farmington Hills does not have a tiny-home ordinance. Permanent tiny houses must comply with the Michigan Residential Code minimum-dwelling standards and Chapter 34 single-family district minimum floor-area requirements, which generally exceed typical tiny-home sizes. Tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are RVs under state law and cannot be used as a permanent residence in residential zones.

Key details: Local Tiny-Home Ordinance: None. Minimum Floor Area: Set by underlying single-family district (varies — call Zoning). Tiny House on Wheels (THOW): RV under MI law — not a permanent dwelling. RV Storage Rule: Sec. 34-5.7 (Recreational Equipment). State Code Reference: Michigan Residential Code (adopted via Chapter 7).

Occupying a tiny house or RV as a permanent dwelling in a Farmington Hills residential district violates Chapter 34 single-family minimum standards and Sec. 34-5.7 recreational equipment rules. Building a tiny home below code-minimum sizes violates the Michigan Residential Code adopted under Chapter 7. Penalties include orders to vacate, removal of the structure, certificate-of-occupancy denial, and general penalty fines.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Farmington Hills actively enforces its tiny homes requirements.

Shed Rules

Farmington Hills requires a building permit for sheds over 200 square feet. Sheds 200 sq ft and under are reviewed by Zoning for placement only, with no building permit required. All sheds must comply with Chapter 34 accessory-structure setback and yard placement rules and HOA covenants.

Key details: Permit Threshold: Building permit required for sheds over 200 sq ft. Sheds 200 sq ft and Under: Zoning site plan review (no building permit). Allowed Location: Rear yard typically — front-yard placement prohibited. Setback Requirements: Vary by zoning district (confirm with Zoning before install). Subdivision/HOA Rules: May impose additional limits — verify separately.

Erecting a shed over 200 sq ft without a building permit is a Building Code violation under Chapter 7 of the City Code. Improper placement (in a front yard, encroaching on setbacks, or violating lot coverage) is a Chapter 34 zoning violation enforceable by Zoning and Code Enforcement. Penalties include orders to relocate or remove the shed plus general penalty fines.

Garage Conversions

Farmington Hills requires a building permit for any garage and for converting garage space to habitable use. Because the City does not permit accessory dwelling units in single-family districts, converting a garage into a separate rental or second living unit is not permitted — the converted space must remain part of the principal single-family dwelling.

Key details: Building Permit: Required for any garage construction or conversion. Code Reference: Chapter 7 Building Code + 2015 MBC; Chapter 34 Zoning. Separate Dwelling Unit: Not permitted (no ADU ordinance). Absorbed into Principal Dwelling: Permitted (additional living area). Replacement Parking: Required if garage removed from parking inventory.

Converting a garage without a building permit is a Chapter 7 Building Code violation. Operating the converted space as a separate dwelling unit violates Chapter 34's single-family district rules and is enforceable by Zoning. Penalties include orders to reverse the conversion or re-establish the required parking, certificate-of-occupancy denial, and general penalty fines.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Farmington Hills actively enforces its garage conversions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills is tougher than many cities when it comes to accessory structures. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Farmington Hills, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Farmington Hills's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.