Royal Oak Township, MI Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

The Charter Township of Royal Oak is a built-up residential township, and its zoning code does not create an agricultural district. Agricultural activity appears in § 32-388, the permitted uses section for the R-1A and R-1B one-family residential districts. Subsection (b)(8) lists the use of a separate parcel or lot solely for gardening or the production of agricultural products among the special land uses, which are allowed only subject to the conditions specified for each use, site plan review and approval, any special conditions imposed in review, and the special use provisions in Article II. Section 32-364 adds that uses not expressly permitted are prohibited.

Because the use is a special land use, the process in § 32-105 applies. The owner of an interest in the land, or the owner's agent, applies on forms set by the building official, with the required fees and 25 copies of the site plan. The planning commission holds a public hearing and then approves, approves with conditions, or denies. Conditions must protect natural resources and the health, safety and welfare of neighbors and the community. The decision then goes to the Township Board, which has 30 calendar days to consider it; if the Board takes no action, the planning commission's decision becomes final.

Site plan review is also separately required: § 32-389(a) requires planning commission site plan approval for all uses in the one-family districts except detached single-family homes and family child care homes. The purpose clause in § 32-387 makes plain that these districts exclude multiple family, office, business, commercial, and industrial use.

Other provisions treat farming lightly. The definitions of excavation and fill exempt common household gardening, farming, and general ground care. The merchant licensing definition in § 14-1 does not apply to a producer of agricultural products making sales of products grown by the producer. The zoning definition of open air business names roadside stands for the sale of agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees.