Building Setbacks & Zoning in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Grand Rapids, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In Grand Rapids' Traditional Neighborhood Low-Density Residential (TN-LDR) zone, homes must sit at the 27-foot required building line, keep a 5-foot interior side setback, and a 25-foot rear setback.
Grand Rapids TN-LDR Zone Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code §§ 5.2.05.C.2, 5.5.06 (Table 5.5.06.A) (Chapter 61, Zoning Ordinance)
When this Chapter provides for a Required Building Line it is considered as a mandatory placement of the building façade, where the building must be "built to" the required line...Required Building Line (RBL) 27 1 22 1 35 1 30 1 — — 5.5.06.D. Rear Setback 25 20 25 30 40 30 5.5.06.F.
Structure Height Limits
Grand Rapids caps residential building height at 35 feet (2½ stories) in Low Density Residential districts and up to 52 feet (3½ stories) in Medium Density Residential districts, under the Zoning Ordinance's district height table.
Grand Rapids Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.5.07 (Table 5.5.07.A)
Maximum Height Residential Permitted Use Stories 2 ½ 3 2 ½ 3 2 ½ 3 ½ 5.5.07.B.1. Feet 35 45 35 45 35 52 Residential SLU Stories 3 4 3 6 3 8 5.5.07.B.2 Feet 45 60 45 90 45 120 Non-Residential Stories 3 3 3 3 3 3 ½ 5.5.07.B.1. Feet 45 45 45 45 45 52 Materials Residential R R R R R R 5.5.07.C. Non-residential R R R R R R Façade Variation Multiple-Family and Non-residential R R R R — ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Grand Rapids indirectly caps lot coverage through a minimum greenspace standard set by Neighborhood Classification and density: detached single-family lots must leave 30% to 60% of the lot as greenspace, capping impervious coverage from 40% up to 70% depending on zone district.
Grand Rapids Lot Coverage Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.5.06.A, Table 5.5.06.A, Chapter 61 – Zoning Ordinance
Zone District LDR MDR LDR MDR LDR MDR ... Minimum Green Space at Grade (% of lot area) Detached single-family 40 30 50 40 60 50 5.5.06.H.
Looking for Kent County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Rapids city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Kent County →