Planning & Zoning

General Planning & Zoning Resources

Zoning Ordinance

The City enforces planning and zoning regulations through its Zoning Ordinance. This ordinance is based on the City's Master Plan and establishes districts regulating the use and development of land and structures, encourages the use of natural resources, and provides for the orderly development of the City.

Master Plan

The Master Plan helps ensure decisions made on development, redevelopment, transportation, parks, and various capital improvements will help preserve the City's many admirable qualities while addressing things that can be enhanced. The plan continues the commitment of City officials and residents to protect the residential character of the community, improve and diversify its business corridors, and coordinate public improvements to support the community's vision for the future. It provides a legal foundation for zoning and other regulations on the type, intensity, arrangement, and timing of development, and balances the rights of individual landowners with the rights of adjacent landowners and the community overall. The Master Plan can be viewed as a community blueprint for the future.

Zoning Site Plan Review

View information regarding When a Zoning Site Plan is Required (PDF).

Signs in the Public Right-of-Way

Friendly Reminder: Signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way.

Note Regarding Surface Water Management

With rain and snow, some residential and other properties become inundated with water. While the City remains sympathetic to these challenging situations, the City is not legally responsible for water flow from adjoining private property owners. Under Michigan law, a municipality is not obligated to construct drainage infrastructure to confine naturally flowing surface water.

It is unlawful, however, for a property owner to interfere with the natural flow of water in a manner that causes artificial diversion, blockage, or concentration onto another property. If you have reason to believe the burden on your property has been increased by such artificial interference, please know that this is a private legal matter for resolution between property owners and their insurers, not an area of liability for the City and its taxpaying residents.