Accessory Structures in Royal Oak, MI (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Royal Oak, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Royal Oak's Zoning Ordinance has no general accessory dwelling unit allowance. Under § 770-71, a one-family home may add only one extra unit, and only for an elderly relative, capped at 600 square feet, approved as a special land use with a dedicated parking space and full compliance with the district's normal bulk and setback rules.
Royal Oak Senior Accessory Housing Rules
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-71
§ 770-71. Senior accessory housing. ... A single-family dwelling unit may be converted to allow the incorporation (within or attached to an existing dwelling) of one additional dwelling unit for an elderly related person in a residential district subject to the following conditions: ... ... B. The additional dwelling unit shall not exceed 600 square feet of floor area, unless such parts of an e...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Royal Oak requires the host home to be owner-occupied for as long as a senior accessory unit special land use permit is active. Under § 770-71A, the City reviews the permit every two years and can demand proof, such as a state ID or agency mail, that an elderly relative still lives in the unit.
Royal Oak Senior Unit Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-71A
§ 770-71. Senior accessory housing. ... A. The dwelling shall be owner-occupied during the duration of the special use permit. The special use permit shall be reviewed by the City every two years from the date of occupancy to determine compliance with all related provisions. The City shall require proof that an elderly family member continues to occupy the additional dwelling unit. This may inc...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Royal Oak requires a deed restriction on any property that uses the senior accessory housing provision. Under § 770-71E, the owner must record with the Oakland County Register of Deeds that the property was used under § 770-71 and may not be continued as a two-family land use.
Royal Oak Senior Unit Deed Restriction
Heavy RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-71E
§ 770-71. Senior accessory housing. ... E. The property owner shall record with the Oakland County Register of Deeds that the property was used under the provisions of § 770-71, Senior accessory housing, contained within the City of Royal Oak Zoning Ordinance and may not be continued as a two-family land use.
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Royal Oak's residential zones, § 770-22 limits a lot to two accessory structures, such as sheds and detached garages, placed only in the side or rear yard at least three feet from the rear and side lot lines. Combined accessory floor area cannot exceed 10% of the lot or 800 square feet, and no accessory building can rise above 13 feet without extra setback.
Royal Oak Accessory Building and Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-22.A
§ 770-22. Accessory buildings. ... A. Requirements applicable to accessory buildings within residential districts. (1) No accessory building shall be built upon a lot or parcel unless and until a principal building is erected, and shall not exceed two accessory structure(s) per lot. (2) Accessory buildings shall only be located within the side or rear yards. Accessory buildings not located enti...
Garage Conversions
Royal Oak's zoning code blocks a shortcut around its accessory-building rules: § 770-22A(11) says an accessory structure, like a detached garage, does not count as an 'accessory building' if it carries a combination of utility services, water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone or cable, that makes it easily convertible to habitable space. A converted garage used as living space must instead meet the City's dwelling-unit floor area minimums.
Royal Oak Garage Conversion to Living Space
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 770-22.A(11), 770-23.A
(11) An accessory building does not include a combination of services, which makes it easily convertible to habitable space. The combination of services may include water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, and/or cable as determined by the Zoning Administrator. ... ... § 770-23. Minimum floor area of dwelling units. A. One-Family Residential and One-Family Large Lot Residential Zones. ... in no ...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Royal Oak city rules.
Accessory Structures in Oakland County →