Dearborn limits single-family homes to 30 feet or 2.5 stories in R-1. Accessory structures are limited to 14 to 15 feet, and multifamily or commercial heights vary by district.
The Dearborn Zoning Ordinance sets maximum building heights by district. In R-1 Single-Family Residential, the principal dwelling may not exceed 30 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less. Detached accessory structures such as garages and sheds are limited to 14 to 15 feet at the ridgeline and generally no more than one story. R-2 and R-3 multifamily districts allow greater heights, commonly 35 to 40 feet. Business districts B-1 and B-2 allow 30 to 45 feet depending on proximity to residential. Taller buildings near the Ford Motor Company campus, Fairlane Town Center, and along Michigan Avenue or Ford Road may be permitted in planned unit developments or the downtown mixed-use overlay. Mechanical penthouses, chimneys, and cupolas may exceed the height limit by a limited amount. Heights are measured from the average grade to the mean of the roof ridge. Variances require Zoning Board of Appeals approval.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle structure height limits.
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