Municipal Code
CHAPTER 1263 Residential Design Standards
1263.01 Purpose.
1263.02 General requirements.
1263.03 Design compatibility requirements.
1263.04 Accessory structures.
1263.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards
governing the design and appearance of all single-family
residential structures, including mobile homes and
manufactured housing, when developed on individual lots
or home sites in the Village. It is the intent of these
regulations to allow a mix of housing types and living
styles in a manner that will not adversely affect the
appearance and character of existing neighborhoods.
Single-family residential structure shall be erected or
constructed in compliance with the following residential
design standards.
(Ord. 2001 05. Passed 9 10 01.)
1263.02 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Area and Bulk Regulations. A residential structure,
including any mobile home dwelling unit, shall comply
with the minimum floor area requirements specified for
the zoning district where such structure is located.
Mobile homes shall comply with all regulations normally
required for site-built housing in the zoning district
in which it is located, unless specifically indicated
otherwise herein.
(b) Foundation. Any residential structure, including a
mobile home, shall be placed on a permanent foundation
to form a complete enclosure under the exterior walls.
The foundation shall be constructed in accordance with
the Village Building Code. A mobile home shall be
securely anchored to its foundation. The wheels, tongue
and hitch assembly, and other towing appurtenances,
shall be removed before attaching a mobile home to its
permanent foundation.
(c) Other Regulations. Residential structures shall be
constructed in compliance with applicable State,
Federal, or local laws or ordinances, including the
Michigan State Construction Code. Mobile homes shall
comply with the most recent regulations specified by the
United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Mobile Home Construction and Safety
Standards, 24 C.F.R. 3280, as amended.
(d) Location. For the purposes of this chapter, a mobile
home or other manufactured housing type may be located
on an individual lot in any of the zoning districts
which allow for the development of single-family
residential structures, subject further to the
regulations contained herein relative to floor area, lot
size, setback yards and the use and improvement of lots
and structures.
(e) Floodplain. No dwelling unit, including mobile
homes, shall be located within a floodplain, as defined
and regulated in Chapter 1464 of these Codified
Ordinances.
(f) Use. Mobile homes and other structures shall be used
only for the purposes permitted in the zoning district
in which they are located.
(g) Attachments. Any exterior attachments or extensions
onto a dwelling unit, such as entry steps, porches and
storage buildings, shall comply with the Village
building code, shall be designed to be permanently
attached to the ground and to the structures, and shall
be comparable to steps, porches and storage buildings of
existing homes with which the dwelling is to be
compatible.
(h) Services. A residential structure shall be connected
to a waste treatment and potable water supply system
approved by the Village and the Oakland County Health
Department.
(Ord. 2001 02. Passed 4 9 01.)
1263.03 DESIGN COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
To ensure the compatibility in appearance with existing
homes in the Village, dwelling units erected after the
effective date of this chapter shall comply with the
general requirements set forth in Section 1263.02 and
with the following design and site standards:
(a) Roof Pitch. The pitch of the main roof shall have a
minimum vertical rise of one foot for each four feet of
horizontal run, and the minimum distance from the eaves
to the ridge shall be ten feet, except where the
customized architectural design dictates otherwise (e.g.
French provincial, Italianate).
(b) Roof Drainage and Materials. Dwellings shall be
designed with a minimum six-inch roof overhang on all
sides or an eave with a roof drainage system that will
collect and concentrate the roof discharge of storm
water or snow away from the sides of the dwelling. The
roof shall have wood shake, asphaltic or other shingles
or other materials commonly used in standard residential
construction in the vicinity, and meet the snow load
standards for this portion of the State of Michigan, as
specified by the applicable construction code
requirements.
(c) Exterior Materials. The exterior siding of a mobile
home or manufactured dwelling shall consist of materials
that are generally acceptable for existing housing in
the vicinity, provided that the reflection from such
exterior surface shall be no greater than from white
semi-gloss exterior enamel, and provided further that
any such exterior is comparable in composition,
appearance, and durability to the exterior siding
commonly used in standard residential construction.
(d) Dimensions. The dimensions and placement of
dwellings shall be comparable to typical dimensions and
placement of existing housing in the vicinity.
Therefore, a dwelling shall be located on the lot so
that the minimum width of the front elevation is no less
than 34 feet and the minimum dimension along any side or
rear elevation is no less than 24 feet. If there are any
extensions or additions off of the front of the
dwelling, the minimum width of any such secondary front
elevation shall be 24 feet. Such dimensions shall be
measured from the outer extremities and shall include
additions to the main body of the home, such as living
or recreation rooms, garages, carports, utility rooms,
and the like, the front portions of which are within ten
feet of the front of the main body of the dwelling.
(e) Perimeter Foundation Wall. Every dwelling shall have
a wall of the same perimeter dimensions as the dwelling
and constructed of such materials and type as required
in the applicable building code for single-family
dwellings. In the event that a manufactured dwelling is
installed pursuant to the manufacturer's set-up
instructions, such dwelling shall be secured to the
premises by an anchoring system or device complying with
the rules and regulations of the Michigan Manufactured
Housing Commission, and shall have a perimeter wall as
required above.
(f) Exterior Doors. Dwellings shall have no less than
two exterior doors, which shall not be located on the
same side of the building. Where required because of a
difference in elevation, all exterior doors shall be
provided with steps that are permanently attached to the
building.
(g) Design Features. The design and position of exterior
features of dwellings shall be compatible and in harmony
with existing homes within 1,000 feet of the dwelling
lot. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit
innovative design concepts involving such features as
solar energy, view, unique land contour, or relief from
the common or standard design homes.
The compatibility of design and appearance shall be
determined in the first instance by the Village Building
Official upon review of the plans submitted for a
particular dwelling. An applicant aggrieved by an
adverse decision by the Building Official may appeal to
the Board of Appeals.
(Ord. 2001 05. Passed 9 10 01.)
1263.04 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.
Detached accessory structures, as permitted in the
Zoning Ordinance shall be built consistent with
standards and requirements of the Village Building Code.
If the accessory structure is attached to the house it
shall be similar in material and integrity and meet the
construction standards of the HUD National Manufactured
Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 or
the Michigan Construction Code, as applicable. The
dwelling shall not have a detached accessory structure
or garage if attached garages are typical to homes with
which the dwelling is to be compatible.
(Ord. 2001 05. Passed 9 10 01.)
