Wyoming's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Wyoming, Michigan, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Shed & Carport Rules

A backyard shed or detached garage in Wyoming, Michigan must sit in the rear yard, stay at least three feet from the side or rear lot line, and cannot exceed 14 feet in height on most single-family lots. The zoning ordinance also caps how many accessory buildings a residential lot may have and how much total accessory building area it can carry, tied to lot size.

Key details: Location: Rear yard only, unless side yard for garages. Minimum setback: 3 ft. from side/rear line (scales up with size). Count limit: Two accessory buildings per single-family lot. Height limit: 14 ft.; 17 ft. if 1,200+ sq. ft.. Governing section: Zoning Ordinance § 90-311.

Building a shed or garage that exceeds the height, size, setback or count limits of § 90-311 without approval is a zoning violation, pursued as a municipal civil infraction under Wyoming Code of Ordinances § 1-27: $75.00 for a first offense, $500.00 for a second within a year, and $2,500.00 for a third, plus an order from the building official to remove, relocate or bring the structure into compliance.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Wyoming, Michigan's zoning ordinance flatly prohibits short-term rental of accessory dwelling units. Sec. 90-334(1)(c) bars renting an ADU on a short-term basis, regardless of the ADU's size, owner-occupancy status, or the primary home's use.

Key details: Rule: Short-term rental of ADUs prohibited. Exceptions: None stated in the text. Governing section: Sec. 90-334(1)(c). Related rule: Non-owner-occupied ADUs need rental inspection, (1)(b). Adopted: Ordinance No. 3-25, January 21, 2025.

Renting or advertising an ADU as short-term lodging violates Sec. 90-334(1)(c) directly, with no owner-occupancy exception, and is enforceable as a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 1-27: $75 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $2,500 for a third within a year, plus costs and any order to cease the rental.

Compared to other cities, Wyoming takes a harder line on adu rental restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Wyoming, Michigan requires any accessory dwelling unit that is not owner-occupied to undergo rental and housing inspections under Sec. 90-334(1)(b), tying non-owner-occupied ADUs into the city's rental housing inspection program rather than treating them as exempt accessory space.

Key details: Trigger: ADU not occupied by the property owner. Requirement: Rental/housing inspection required. Governing section: Sec. 90-334(1)(b). Related rule: Short-term rental separately banned, (1)(c). Adopted: Ordinance No. 3-25, January 21, 2025.

Renting out an ADU without submitting to the required rental/housing inspection when the owner does not occupy either unit violates Sec. 90-334(1)(b) and the city's rental housing program; it is enforceable as a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 1-27, with civil fines of $75, $500, and $2,500 for a first, second, and third offense within a year, plus costs.

ADU Rules

Wyoming, Michigan's Sec. 90-334 permits one accessory dwelling unit per single-family lot, capped between 350 and 850 square feet with a single bedroom, built into or attached to the primary house, with its own off-street parking space and the same setbacks as the main dwelling.

Key details: ADUs per lot: 1 maximum. Minimum size: 350 sq. ft.. Maximum size: 850 sq. ft. or lot-coverage limit. Bedrooms: 1 bedroom maximum. Attachment: Must attach to or be within primary home.

Building or occupying an ADU that exceeds 850 square feet, adds a second bedroom, sits detached from the primary structure, or lacks its own off-street parking space violates Sec. 90-334 and is enforceable as a municipal civil infraction under Sec. 1-27: $75 for a first offense, $500 for a second, $2,500 for a third within a year, plus any order to remove or modify the noncompliant structure.

The Bottom Line

Wyoming's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Wyoming is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Wyoming can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.