Building Setbacks & Zoning in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Sterling Heights, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Sterling Heights sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks for each one-family district, R-60 through R-100, with front setbacks measured from the road centerline under the city's Master Road Plan rather than the lot line.
Sterling Heights Yard Setback Minimums By Zone
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 3.04.A.6
6. Minimum yard setback (in feet): a. Front and street-side setbacks shall be measured from the centerline of each road right-of way (R.O.W.) in accordance with the city's Master Road Plan, as follows: ... (6) Local 60 60 60 60 60 ... c. Rear: 40 35 35 35 35
Structure Height Limits
In Sterling Heights' one-family residential districts, R-60 through R-100, Zoning Ordinance Section 3.04.A.5 caps a building's maximum height at two stories and 30 feet, the same limit across every one-family density, with exceptions available only through the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Sterling Heights Caps Home Height at 30 Feet
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 3.04.A.5
5. Maximum height of building: a. In stories: R-100 2, R-90 2, R-80 2, R-70 2, R-60 2. b. In feet: R-100 30, R-90 30, R-80 30, R-70 30, R-60 30.
Lot Coverage Limits
In Sterling Heights' R-60 through R-100 one-family residential districts, Zoning Ordinance Section 3.04.A.8 caps the footprint of a house, garage and other buildings at 30 percent of the lot, a limit that applies uniformly across all five one-family densities regardless of lot size.
Sterling Heights 30% Residential Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsSterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 3.04.A.8
A. In the one family residential districts, the following area, height, bulk, density and placement shall apply: ... 8. Maximum lot coverage by all buildings: R-100 30%, R-90 30%, R-80 30%, R-70 30%, R-60 30%.
Looking for Macomb County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sterling Heights city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Macomb County →