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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Southfield, MI (2026)

3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Southfield, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Setback Rules

In the City of Southfield, Sec. 5.193's schedule of regulations sets the minimum yard setbacks for every single-family residence district. R 1, R 2 and R 3 lots need a 40-foot front yard, 8-foot least side yard, 20-foot combined side yards and a 35-foot rear yard; R 4 and R E lots need 10-foot side yards and 25 feet combined.

Southfield Single-Family Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Southfield City Code § 5.193

MINIMUM YARD SETBACK IN FEET ... Feet Stories Front Least Side Total Sides Rear ... R 1 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 2 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 3 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,200 30 R 4 9,000 70 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30 R E 20,000 90 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30

Structure Height Limits

In the City of Southfield, Sec. 5.193's schedule of regulations caps single-family building height at 25 feet or two stories, whichever governs, and this ceiling is identical across the R A, R 1, R 2, R 3, R 4 and R E residence districts even though lot size and setbacks vary between them.

Southfield Residential Building Height Limit

Some Restrictions

Southfield City Code § 5.193

MAXIMUM HEIGHT (w) ... Feet Stories Front Least Side Total Sides Rear ... R 1 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 2 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 3 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,200 30 R 4 9,000 70 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30 R E 20,000 90 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30

Lot Coverage Limits

In the City of Southfield, Sec. 5.193's schedule of regulations caps how much of a single-family lot buildings may cover: 30 percent maximum lot coverage across the R A, R 1, R 2, R 3, R 4 and R E residence districts, alongside minimum floor areas that climb from 1,000 square feet in R 1 and R 2 to 1,400 square feet in R 4 and R E.

Southfield Single-Family Maximum Lot Coverage

Some Restrictions

Southfield City Code § 5.193

MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE ... Feet Stories Front Least Side Total Sides Rear ... R 1 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 2 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,000 30 R 3 9,000 70 25 2 40 8 20 35 1,200 30 R 4 9,000 70 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30 R E 20,000 90 25 2 40 10 25 35 1,400 30

Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Southfield city rules.

Building Setbacks & Zoning in Oakland County