Driveway approaches in Detroit require a permit from the Department of Public Works and must meet Chapter 50 zoning standards for off-street parking surface, location and access for one- and two-family dwellings.
Detroit's Chapter 50 Zoning Ordinance requires off-street parking spaces for single- and two-family dwellings and specifies that parking areas in residential districts be hard-surfaced (concrete, asphalt or approved pavers) and accessed via a curb cut. Curb cuts and driveway approaches across the public right-of-way require a permit from the Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW); the permit governs width, slope, and location relative to street corners and fire hydrants. Front-yard parking on grass or unpaved surfaces is a blight violation under the city's property maintenance and zoning provisions.
Parking on unimproved surfaces and building an unpermitted curb cut are blight / zoning violations enforceable by the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED) with civil fines via the Department of Appeals and Hearings.
Detroit, MI
Detroit's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict the number, size, or style of residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Re...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, Santas). Restrictions, if any, come from priva...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no citywide ordinance restricting the time of year, brightness, or duration of residential holiday lights. Restrictions arise mainly from Local H...
Detroit, MI
A built-in outdoor kitchen in Detroit requires separate trade permits from BSEED for any gas line, electrical, or plumbing work, plus a building permit if it...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no ordinance specifically regulating residential offset smokers or pellet grills. The City's nuisance and air-quality provisions (Detroit Code Ch...
Detroit, MI
Detroit follows the International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted by Michigan. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking on combustible balcon...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle driveway rules.
See how Detroit's driveway rules rules stack up against other locations.
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