Accessory Structures in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
3 verified accessory structures rules for Grand Rapids, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Grand Rapids allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot with a single- or two-family home, capped at 850 square feet and 25 feet in height under Zoning Ordinance Section 5.9.03.
Grand Rapids ADU Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.9.03 (Chapter 61, Zoning Ordinance, Article 9)
A.Not more than one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) may be permitted per lot.B.An ADU may be permitted only in association with a single-family or two-family dwelling.C.Minimum Lot Area. An ADU may be developed on a lot meeting the minimum lot size for the applicable zone district.D.Residential Density. An ADU shall be excluded from maximum residential density requirements.E.Setbacks.1.An att...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Grand Rapids bars accessory dwelling units from short-term rental use entirely: no ADU stay may run under 30 days, and a non-owner-occupied ADU must be registered under Chapter 140.
Grand Rapids ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.9.03.I (Chapter 61, Zoning Ordinance, Article 9)
I.Rental. No ADU shall be rented for fewer than thirty (30) days and shall not be used as a short-term rental. If the ADU is not occupied as a residence by the owner, it shall be registered and certified as required in Chapter 140 of the City Code.J.Alterations or New Construction. Any alterations to existing buildings or structures or the construction of a new structure to accommodate an ADU s...
Shed & Carport Rules
Grand Rapids treats a carport as an accessory structure subject to the same setback and placement rules as an attached or detached garage or shed, per Sec. 5.2.08.F of the Zoning Ordinance.
Grand Rapids Carport Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.2.08(F)-(G)
F.Carport. A carport shall comply with the location requirements applicable to either an attached or detached accessory structure.G.Attached Structures. An accessory structure which is structurally attached to a main building shall be subject to all setback regulations applicable to the main buildings. In addition, attached garages within the Traditional Neighborhood (TN) and Mid-20th Century N...
Looking for Kent County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Rapids city rules.
Accessory Structures in Kent County →