Building Setbacks & Zoning in Kalamazoo, MI (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Kalamazoo, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Kalamazoo's residential zoning table sets front setbacks of 25 feet in RS-4 and RS-5 down to 15 feet in RM-36 and RMU, with side and rear setbacks that shrink further next to other RS/RD-zoned properties.
Yard Setback Minimums by Zone in Kalamazoo
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 5.1, Table 5.1-1
RS-4 RS-5 RS-7 RD-8 RD-19 RM-15 RM-15C RM-24 RM-36 RMU ... Minimum ... Setback (feet) Front [2] 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 20 15 15 Rear — abutting RS/RD districts 25 25 20 20 20 20 25 25 25 25 ... Side (interior) — abutting RS/RD districts 8 5 5 5 5 5 15 15 [3] 5 [3] 15 [3]
Structure Height Limits
Kalamazoo caps residential building height at 35 feet across its RS-4, RS-5, RS-7, RD-8, RD-19, RM-15 and RM-15C districts, while the higher-density RM-24, RM-36 and RMU districts are measured in stories, up to six.
Residential Building Height Limits Kalamazoo
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 5.1, Table 5.1-1
RS-4 RS-5 RS-7 RD-8 RD-19 RM-15 RM-15C RM-24 RM-36 RMU ... Maximum Height (feet) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 4 stories [5] 6 stories [5] 6 stories [5] ... [5] Additional building height may be allowed if reviewed and approved as a Planned Unit Development.
Lot Coverage Limits
Kalamazoo's residential district table caps impervious lot coverage at 45% in the lowest-density RS-4 and RS-5 districts, rising to 70% in the RM-36 multifamily district, with the Planning Commission able to modify the limit for special-use projects.
Maximum Lot Coverage Limits in Kalamazoo
Some RestrictionsKalamazoo City Code § 5.1, Table 5.1-1
RS-4 RS-5 RS-7 RD-8 RD-19 RM-15 RM-15C RM-24 RM-36 RMU ... Maximum Impervious Coverage (percent of lot area) [4] 45 45 50 55 60 60 60 60 70 60 ... [4] The Planning Commission is authorized to modify impervious cover limits for uses requiring special use permit approval.