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8/06
Requirements for Residential Structures
Setbacks (Single-Family):
Street Frontage = 50 feet minimum
Front = (Expressway & Arterial Streets) = 30 feet
(Major & Collector Streets) = 25 feet
(Minor Streets) = 15 feet
Minimum front setbacks for new principal structures in the R-1, RT, B-3, and H zones,
fronting on minor streets, may align with existing principal structures in the immediate
area, even if the front setback is below the minimum required.
Rear = 30 feet
Side: 1 to 1.5 story = 16 feet total with 6-foot minimum on each side
2 to 2.5 story = 20 feet total with 8-foot minimum on each side
Height Limit = 35 feet measured from average grade to the midpoint of eave & peak of the roof.
Zoning Ordinance Excerpt:
SECTION 2319: [RESIDENTIAL DESIGN CRITERIA] [amended 7/98, amended 4/00,
amended 8/01, amended 4/02, amended 3/05]
It is the intent and purpose of this section to establish design review standards and controls over
housing development in the City of Muskegon. It is recognized that there are unique design
aspects inherent in the community appearance that need to be preserved and enhanced. The
adoption of these criteria will guide and ensure that all future growth enhances community
character and image and fits with the unique vernacular of the City of Muskegon's urban setting.
A positive community image: enhances economic development opportunity; safeguards property
values; curbs blight and deterioration; and enhances public safety and welfare. The following
standards shall apply to all single-family or duplex structures erected in the City of Muskegon.
In the case of a one (1) family or two (2) family dwelling unit which is of standard construction,
a mobile home, a premanufactured, or a precut dwelling structure, and any additions or
alterations thereto, erected or placed in the City of Muskegon, other than a mobile home located
in a licensed mobile home park approved under the provisions of Article V, MHP Mobile Home
Park Districts, shall conform to the following regulations in addition to all other regulations of
this Ordinance:
1. The dwelling unit shall have a minimum living area (excluding all basement area) of nine
hundred and sixty (960) square feet for a one (1) bedroom dwelling. For each bedroom
thereafter, an additional 100 square feet of living space shall be provided.
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2. Where the home design involves a roof pitch, it shall be a minimum pitch of 5/12, that is,
for every twelve inches (12") of lateral run, the roof shall rise five inches (5"). In the
case of additions or alterations to principal structures when a 5/12 pitch is not practical,
the roof pitch may be allowed to correspond with that of the principal structure.
3. The roof shall have a snow load rating of forty (40) pounds per square foot.
4. Roof drainage in the form of a roof overhang of at least twelve inches (12") shall be
provided to direct storm or meltwater way from the foundation, unless a gambrel roof or
other design elements necessitate an alternative roof drainage system.
5. Siding shall be the same gauge for modulars and mobiles as for on-site-built homes.
6. The dwelling unit shall have a minimum width across any front, side, and rear elevation
view which is the lesser of:
a. Twenty-four (24) feet; or
b. The average width of the homes on the same street within six hundred (600) feet
in either direction.
7. A structure with a front elevation view of over 40 linear feet shall have a design offset
including but not limited to; bay windows, covered porches, or structural offsets from the
principal plane of the building.
8. Any single-story, residential structure shall not be more than two (2) times longer than its
width (exclusive of an attached garage).
9. Garage doors may not comprise more than fifty percent (50%) of the front face of the
structure.
10. Newly constructed homes must be at the average setback of existing homes within 600
feet.
11. The dwelling unit shall be firmly attached to a permanent foundation constructed on the
site in accordance with the building code, manufacturers specifications, and other
applicable requirements.
12. Any crawlspace that may exist between the foundation and ground floor of the dwelling
unit shall be fully enclosed by an extension of the foundation wall along the perimeter of
the building.
13. If the dwelling is a mobile home, as defined herein, such dwelling shall be installed
pursuant to the manufacturer's setup instructions and shall be secured to the premises by
an anchoring system or device complying with the rules and regulations of the Michigan
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Mobile Home Commission.
14. In the event that a dwelling unit is a mobile home as defined herein, it shall be installed
with the wheels removed. No dwelling unit shall have any exposed towing mechanism,
undercarriage or chassis.
15. The dwelling unit shall be connected to a public sewer and water supply when available,
as defined by the Plumbing Code or if not available, to private facilities as approved by
the county health department, the city, and other applicable agencies.
16. Storage space of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the interior living space of the dwelling
unit, exclusive of auto storage or attic storage, shall be provided within the structure.
17. The subject dwelling unit shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with
other dwellings within 600 feet. The review shall include but not necessarily be limited
to: roof pitch, scale, size, mass, minimum transparency, orientation to the street, and
overhangs. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts
involving such matters as (but not limited to) solar energy, view, or unique land contour.
18. The compatibility of design and appearance shall be determined in the first instance by
the Zoning Administrator upon review of the plans submitted for a particular dwelling
unit. The Zoning Administrator's decision may be appealed, to the Zoning Board of
Appeals within a period of fifteen (15) days from the receipt of notice to the official's
decision.
19. The dwelling unit shall contain no additions of rooms or other areas which are not
constructed with similar quality workmanship as the original structure, including
permanent attachment to the principal structure and construction of a foundation as
required herein.
20. The dwelling unit shall comply with all pertinent building and fire codes. In the case of a
mobile home, all construction and all plumbing, electrical apparatus and insulation within
and connected to said mobile home shall be of a type and quality conforming to the
"Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards" as promulgated by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development, being 24 CFR 3280, and as from time
to time such standards may be amended.
21. All construction required herein shall be commenced only after a building permit has
been obtained in accordance with the Building Code.
22. Each dwelling unit shall have an established vegetative ground cover no less than 12
months after occupancy. A minimum of one shade tree, two and one-half inches (2.5") in
diameter, four feet (4') from the ground or one six foot (6') evergreen tree shall be
provided. Existing landscaping may be accepted in lieu of this requirement.
23. Each dwelling unit shall have a garage or a shed providing a minimum of sixty-four
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square feet (64 sq. ft.) of yard storage for each dwelling unit. Said area shall be
calculated separately from the required interior storage space.
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In the case of a multi-family (more than 2 units) dwelling structure which is of standard
construction, a mobile home, a premanufactured, or a precut dwelling structure, and any
additions or alterations thereto, erected or placed in the City of Muskegon, other than a mobile
home located in a licensed mobile home park approved under the provisions of Article V, MHP
Mobile Home Park Districts, shall conform to the following regulations in addition to all other
regulations of this Ordinance:
1. Each dwelling unit shall have a minimum living area (excluding all basement area) of six
hundred and fifty (650) square feet for a one (1) bedroom unit, of eight hundred and
seventy-five (875) square feet for a two (2) bedroom unit, and of twelve hundred (1200)
square feet for a three (3) bedroom unit. For each bedroom thereafter, an additional 100
square feet of living space shall be provided.
2. Roof drainage in the form of a roof overhang of at least twelve inches (12") shall be
provided to direct storm or meltwater way from the foundation, unless a gambel roof or
other design elements necessitate an alternative roof drainage system.
3. The roof shall have a snow load rating of forty (40) pounds per square foot.
4. Siding shall be the same gauge for modulars and mobiles as for on-site-built homes.
5. Garage doors may not comprise more than fifty percent (50%) of the front face of the
structure.
6. The structure shall be firmly attached to a permanent foundation constructed on the site in
accordance with the building code, manufacturers specifications, and other applicable
requirements.
7. Any crawlspace that may exist between the foundation and ground floor of the structure
shall be fully enclosed by an extension of the foundation wall along the perimeter of the
building.
8. The structure shall be connected to a public sewer and water supply when available, as
defined by the Plumbing Code or if not available, to private facilities as approved by the
county health department, the city, and other applicable agencies.
9. Storage space of at least 10 percent (10%) of the interior living space of each dwelling
unit, exclusive of auto storage or attic storage, shall be provided within the structure.
10. The subject structure shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with
other dwellings within 600 feet. The review shall include but not necessarily be limited
to: roof pitch, scale, size, mass, minimum transparency, orientation to the street, and
overhangs. The foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts
involving such matters as (but not limited to) solar energy, view, or unique land contour.
11. The structure shall contain no additions of rooms or other areas which are not constructed
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with similar quality workmanship as the original structure, including permanent
attachment to the principal structure and construction of a foundation as required herein.
12. Each dwelling unit shall have an established vegetative ground cover no less than 12
months after occupancy. A minimum of one shade tree, two and one-half inches (2.5") in
diameter, four feet (4') from the ground or one six foot (6') evergreen tree shall be
provided. Existing landscaping may be accepted in lieu of this requirement.
13. Each dwelling unit shall have a garage or a shed providing a minimum of sixty-four
square feet (64 sq. ft.) of yard storage for each dwelling unit. Said area shall be
calculated separately from the required interior storage space.
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