Accessory Structures in Detroit, MI (2026)
9 verified accessory structures rules for Detroit, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Under Detroit's current Chapter 50 Zoning Ordinance, accessory dwelling units are not permitted by right in R1 or R2 districts; only pre-1940 carriage-house dwellings are recognized, and a 2025 'Let's Build More Housing' text amendment expanding ADUs is still working through City Council.
Detroit ADU Rules - Carriage House Limit in R1/R2 (Ch. 50)
Heavy RestrictionsADU Permits
Detroit has historically restricted ADUs under the 2019 Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code). Until the October 2025 Let's Build More Housing zoning amendments take full effect, accessory dwelling units are only permitted in pre-1940 carriage houses and similar legally-existing accessory structures, with no by-right new construction of detached ADUs in most R1/R2 zones.
Detroit ADU Permit Process (Carriage Houses & 2025 Reform)
Heavy RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Detroit does not charge true 'impact fees' on ADUs because Michigan municipalities lack general statutory authority to impose impact fees on residential development. Costs for an ADU are limited to BSEED building permit fees, plan review fees, and DWSD water/sewer connection charges based on actual service draw.
Detroit ADU Impact Fees (None - Michigan Has No State Impact-Fee Authority)
Few RestrictionsADU Owner Occupancy
Detroit's Chapter 50 Zoning Ordinance does not impose a citywide owner-occupancy requirement on the limited ADU category (pre-1940 carriage houses). However, if both the primary dwelling and the ADU are rented to non-owners, both units must be registered under Detroit Code Chapter 8 Article XV (the Rental Ordinance) and pass an inspection-based Certificate of Compliance.
Detroit ADU Owner-Occupancy (Determined by Chapter 8 Rental Registration, Not Zoning)
Some RestrictionsADU Rental Restrictions
Detroit does not separately ban short-term rentals of ADUs in zoning, but any ADU rented to a non-owner is subject to Detroit Code Chapter 8 Article XV. ADUs used for stays under 30 days must also comply with the City's Hotel-Motel Tax (Detroit Code Ch. 18) and Michigan's 6% Use Tax on accommodations.
Detroit ADU Rental Restrictions (Chapter 8 Article XV Rental Ordinance)
Some RestrictionsShed Rules
Detroit Chapter 50, Article XIII limits detached accessory buildings in R1 and R2 to 15 feet in height and one story, requires 10 feet of separation from the principal dwelling, and prohibits occupying more than 50% of the required rear setback area.
Detroit Shed and Accessory Building Rules (Ch. 50, Art. XIII)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a Detroit detached garage into living space generally creates a second dwelling unit that is not permitted in R1 districts, and requires a BSEED building permit plus zoning approval; today most conversions are denied because Chapter 50 does not allow new detached ADUs in R1/R2.
Detroit Garage Conversion Limits (Ch. 50 Zoning + BSEED Permits)
Heavy RestrictionsCarport Rules
Detroit regulates carports as accessory buildings/structures under Chapter 50 (Zoning Ordinance), placing them in the rear yard subject to the city's accessory-structure setbacks and a one-story, fifteen-foot height cap typical of detached accessories in R1/R2 districts. A BSEED building permit is required for carport construction, with the Michigan Residential Code applied to single- and two-family lots.
accessory-structures/carport-rules
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Detroit has no separate 'tiny home' use category in Chapter 50; tiny dwellings are regulated either as standard single-family detached dwellings (the model used by Cass Community Social Services on Elmhurst, Monterey, and Richton) or as accessory dwelling units under the October 2025 'Let's Build More Housing' amendment. All tiny homes must be on permanent foundations and comply with the Michigan Residential Code; tiny houses on wheels are not recognized as permanent dwellings by Chapter 50.
accessory-structures/tiny-homes
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Detroit city rules.
Accessory Structures in Wayne County →