Royal Oak, MI Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Rainwater harvesting in Royal Oak's zoning code appears specifically in the community garden provisions of § 770-56D. Community gardens are allowed as a special land use in any zoning district, provided the property has no existing dwelling units, and § 770-56D(1) requires special land use approval and site plan review by the Planning Commission under §§ 770-11 and 770-12, along with a detailed plan of operation covering watering and irrigation among other activities. Within that framework, § 770-56D(7) lists the accessory uses and structures a community garden may add, and rain barrel systems are named directly alongside raised or accessible planting beds, compost bins, picnic tables, fences, garden art, restroom facilities or portable toilets, and children's play areas.

The market garden provisions in § 770-56E(7) repeat the identical allowance for rain barrel systems, so a market garden accessory to a restaurant, grocery store, or farmers' market in a Neighborhood Business, Neighborhood Business II, General Business, Mixed Use 1, or Mixed Use 2 Zone can add the same rain barrel systems. Both garden types must still meet the general operating standards in § 770-56B, including keeping the site from becoming a source of stormwater runoff or erosion, and community gardens specifically bar overhead or exterior lighting under § 770-56D(10).