Residential Standards Handbook

1. APPLICABILITY AND DESCRIPTIONS  

These restrictions shall be applicable to all lots in the University District Community, in the City of Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

2. APPROVAL OF CONSTRUCTION / PERMITS

A property owner shall submit to the City of Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering &
Environmental Department located in the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center for its prior
approval, detailed plans and specifications for the construction and location of any residence or
garage or any material addition to or alteration of same which requires a permit from the City of
Detroit. All such plans must be in conformity with all applicable building codes, rules and
regulations, and these restrictions and otherwise provide for construction in harmony with the
existing structure of which it is a part and correspond in architecture to the immediate area of the
subdivision involved. Any substantial changes in plans shall require the same approval and
zoning as the original plans.

Building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits are required for most remodeling
and new projects, such as: additions, decks, sheds, garages, fencing, pools, furnaces, air
conditioning units, hot tubs, water heaters, etc. Permit fees vary depending on the project and are issued by the Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department.

3. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

A current Certificate of Occupancy is required when selling or renting a home in the UDCA community.

4. NATURE AND COST OF NEW CONSTRUCTION

No residence other than a single private dwelling house which shall cost not less than
$100,000 shall be erected on any lot in the Subdivisions (other than lots fronting on Livernois
and Parkside). Lots fronting on Parkside may be used for two (2) family residences or other uses
permitted by law, the cost of construction of which is not less than $150,000. Lots fronting on
Livernois Avenue may be used for stores or other uses permitted by law, the cost of construction
of which are not less than $150,000. The foregoing dollar figures shall be increased in January of
each year by a percentage equal to the percentage rise in the previous twelve (12) months of the
housing component of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index
(1967=100) for All Urban Consumers for the City of Detroit, or the equivalent of such index
then in existence. All residences and business structures shall be of pressed, glazed, or wire cut
brick, stone or concrete over tile or metal lath for exterior construction with full basement.
Residences shall be at least two full stories and not more than 2 1/2 stories in height, containing a minimum of 2,200 square feet of enclosed area, with at least 18 feet of studding. No residence
building with a flat roof shall be erected on any of said lots.

5. USE OF PROPERTY 

The property and buildings in the Subdivision (excepting lots fronting on Livernois
Avenue which may be used for purposes for which they are properly zoned) shall be used and
occupied only by single or two families. They shall not be used for any trade, business or
occupation or employment (or uses incident thereto) or for apartment, multiple residential or
boarding house use unless a variance, exemption, or special circumstance has been formerly
granted.

No advertising sign, billboard, or other advertising device shall be permitted, erected,
placed or maintained at any time upon said premises other than the normal and usual “For Sale”
sign incident to the sale of property. The term “family” as used herein shall be as such term is
defined in the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Detroit in effect on the initial effective date of
these restrictions. No property in the Subdivisions shall be used or occupied in whole or in part,
directly or indirectly, for any noxious or unlawful purpose or for any activity which constitutes a
nuisance under applicable law.

6. CONSTRUCTION

A property owner shall submit to the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department for its prior approval, detailed plans and specifications for the construction and location of any residence or garage or any material addition to or alteration of same which requires a permit from the City of Detroit. All such plans must be in conformity with all applicable building codes, rules and regulations, and these restrictions and otherwise provide for construction in harmony with the existing structure of which it is a part and correspond in architecture to the immediate area of the subdivision involved. Any substantial changes in plans shall require the same approval and zoning as the original plans.

7. GRADE RESTRICTIONS

All dwellings shall be erected on a grade of at least 20 inches above the inner sidewalk
grade line or 15 inches if building line is 30 feet and according to profile plans of the engineers
of the property. The natural grade of the land shall not be raised more than 2 feet above the
sidewalk without the written consent of the adjoining property owners.

8. TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

No tents, shacks, barns, vehicles (including, but not limited to trailers, recreational
vehicles and vans) or any temporary building or structure of any design whatsoever, shall be
used for living or residence purposes. No temporary occupancy, residence or domicile shall be
permitted in unfinished, incomplete or materially damaged residences or structures, provided that
this restriction shall not prevent the erection of a temporary storage building for materials and supplies used solely for, and in, the construction of a dwelling, provided that such storage
building is removed from the premises upon completion of the residence.

9. GARAGES

A garage may be erected on any of said lots except on lots fronting on Livernois Avenue, but only for the private use of the owner of the lot on which said garage is located. Living apartments may be provided in any 2-story garage for the occupancy of persons, provided that such persons (a) are in the employ of the property owner, and (b) all of such persons perform continuous and substantial services for the owner or occupants of the principal dwelling, and (c) receive therefore monies and/or consideration substantially in excess of, and in addition to, or the reasonable value of, use and occupancy of the said living apartment. Each garage (or any out-building) shall correspond in architecture and shall be of the same material and construction as the residence to which it is appurtenant. A single storage building or garden and such other tools and equipment shall be permitted on each lot provided that it (a) is placed at the rear of the property, and (b) is harmonious in color and design to the contiguous property, and (c) does not exceed six (6) feet by ten (10) feet in length and width, and six (6) feet in height.

10. STORAGE OF VEHICLES 

AIt is unlawful to keep, park, or store inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles on any
premises or property, including any motor vehicle which is in a state of major disassembly,
disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled, provided, that an individual may
perform mechanical work on one motor vehicle on the premises or property as long as such work is performed inside a garage or other enclosed structure, or area designed and approved for such purposes. {First offense = $100} It is also unlawful to paint any motor vehicle on the premises or property.

11. VEHICLE PARKING

It is unlawful to park any commercial vehicle, bus, taxicab, trailer (coupled or not), pole
trailer (coupled or not), semi-trailer (coupled or not), motor home, pickup camper, trailer coach (coupled or not), recreational equipment, or limousine on any residential street or service drive in the City at any time, including Sundays and holidays, provided, that the owner or lessee of a taxicab may park not more than one operable taxicab on the residential street or service drive within the block of the taxicab owner or lessee’s one-family or two-family residence where the residence of such owner or lessee does not have a front yard driveway.

It is unlawful to park any commercial vehicle, bus, taxicab, trailer (coupled or not), pole trailer
(coupled or not), semi-trailer (coupled or not), motor home, pickup camper, trailer coach (coupled or not), recreational equipment, or limousine on any commercial street in the City
where parking is allowed, for a period longer than one hour, including Sundays and holidays.
The prohibitions in this section shall not apply to the following:

a. The expeditious loading or unloading, delivery, or pickup of goods, wares, merchandise, or
passengers at an address within the block where the vehicle is parked;

b. The performance of business or commercial service by a licensed contractor or service
establishment at an address within the block where the vehicle is parked for the time needed to complete the service, provided, that, while parked, the vehicle shall prominently display a
written notice of the location where the service is being performed;

c. The rendering of authorized emergency service, or service by a government agency or public utility;

d. The use of a vehicle at a public works or construction site, while the work is in progress;

e. A vehicle that is disabled pursuant to Section 46-2-67 of the Detroit City Code; or
a vehicle that is parked to avoid conflict with law enforcement activity, or in compliance with a traffic-control device or direction from a police officer.

This section does not apply to private passenger vehicles that have commercial license plates, trailers no longer than eight feet in length that are coupled to a permitted vehicle, or pickup trucks or vans that have commercial license plates unless the pickup truck or van has been modified substantially to perform primarily a specific commercial or industrial task. Substantial modification to pickup trucks and vans includes, but is not limited to, the addition of a cherry-picker, hoist, crane, or commercial rack designed for holding glass, but does not include the attachment of a snowplow or standard commercial rack, or enclosures, caps, covers, or boxes attached over the exterior bed of the truck, that are used to hold or carry items including, but not limited to, ladders, work supplies, or tools.

Motor homes, pickup campers, and coupled trailer coaches may be parked on any residential
street, for up to 24 hours, only during the loading or unloading of such vehicle for the purpose of trip preparation or trip completion.

12. FENCES  

The respective owners of all lots in the City shall construct and maintain partition fences between their own and next adjoining lots in such manner as stated in this section, except that by mutual consent of adjoining owners such fences between dwellings may be omitted. All owners of lots shall be responsible for the rebuilding, care and upkeep of all fences that are contiguous to, or bordering upon, streets and alleys and also all fences that mark dividing lines between lots as specified in this section. The partition fence, to be erected and maintained, shall mean only that portion between the rear of the house and the alley or rear lot line.

Materials to be used. Except for screen walls and opaque walls as may be required in this
division, all fences, constructed or reconstructed, shall be of 15⁄8-inch iron pipe or two-inch angle irons embedded in concrete in the ground, or four-inch wood posts, or four-inch reinforced concrete posts or any other member of equal stability sunk in the soil at least three feet and that has a height above the average grade of the two adjoining lots of not less than two feet. On the posts shall be properly fastened woven wire, boards, metal or other approved materials. The junction of the post and boards or wire shall always be considered the lot line. The Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department shall not be responsible for the establishing or locating the correct lot line between lots;

How constructed. The house numbering system of the City shall govern the side of
the fence upon which the posts shall be placed. Posts of all fences shall be placed on the side of the fence leading to the higher number as assigned by the City, except only the fences on East and West Grand Boulevard and Outer Drive shall be governed as though the Grand Boulevard and Outer Drive were numbered as on parallel streets. The lot owner upon whose property the posts are located shall be responsible for building and maintaining the front half of the fence to be built, and the rear half of the opposite fence, notwithstanding that any previous ordinances are contrary. The posts of easement fences shall be placed on the side of the fence with the higher street number and the lot owner upon whose property the posts are located shall be responsible for building and maintaining the half of the fence adjacent to the next higher street number; Fence height.

In general. Fences between adjoining lots and on streets, alleys, and easements shall not be less than two feet in height or more than eight feet in height, except fences enclosing industrial or commercial properties may be 12 feet in height; and

Single- and two-family dwellings. Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, the height of
any fence that abuts the front yard of a single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling shall not
exceed four feet, except that opaque fences shall not exceed three feet, provided, that in the event a deed restriction or historic district provision, which specifies front yard fencing in excess of four feet in height, a higher fence may be erected as so specified or required. The height of any fence that abuts the side yards or rear yard of a single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling shall not exceed six feet. Uses, on a lot adjoining the lot of a single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling, shall observe the preceding height limitations for any fence separating said use from the single- or two-family dwelling.

Fences and walls exceeding four feet in height, but not exceeding six feet in height, may be
placed in back of the front building line with the written consent of the owner(s) of the adjoining property, filed with the City. In all instances where a fence is erected, a permit must first be obtained from the City. It also is illegal to use barbed wire, exposed spikes or any other dangerous devices or materials on or in connection with any fence, barrier or enclosure in the community.

13. FIRE HYDRANTS

No person shall open any fire hydrant or use any water from the same without first
obtaining a permit from the board of fire commissioners. No person shall in any manner obstruct the use of any fire hydrant in the city or have, place or allow to be placed any material or thing in front thereof or connect or tie thereto any object, animal or thing. Any material found as an obstruction, as aforesaid, may be removed by the officers and employees of the board of fire commissioners or the water and sewerage department, at the risk, cost and expense of the owner or claimants.

14. ADDRESS NUMBERS ON HOMES 

All buildings on City streets or roads shall have approved address numbers placed in a
position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address
numbers shall contrast with their background and shall be Arabic numerals or roman letters.
Numbers shall be a minimum of four inches (102 mm) in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).

15. OPEN BURNING AND OUTDOOR FIRE ACTIVITIES

A. For the purposes of this Section, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

• Campfire means an outdoor fire in a fire pit intended for recreation or cooking but not
  including a fire intended for disposal of waste wood or refuse
• Clean wood means natural wood which has not been painted, varnished, or coated
  with a similar material; has not been pressure treated with preservatives; and does not
  contain resins or glues as in plywood or other composite wood products
• Fire pit means a secure enclosure of non-flammable material no more than three feet
  in diameter used to safely encapsulate all fuel for a campfire and prevent the growth
  or spread of a campfire
• Fixed flammable object means any building, structure, utility fixture, tree, bush, or
  plant that is predominantly in one location and capable of igniting or being damaged
  by an open fire or the heat emitted by any open fire
• Open burning means kindling or maintaining a fire where the products of combustion
  are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or a chimney.
  This includes burning in a burn barrel
• Outdoor cooking unit means a stationary grill, barbeque, smoker, or oven not located
  within a building or attached to it
• Rear yard means a yard extended across the full width of the lot between the rear lot
  line and the nearest part of the principal building or structure

B. Side yard means a yard extending from the front yard to the rear yard between the side lot
line and the nearest part of the principal building or structure, excepting permitted
encroachments.

C. GENERAL PROHIBITION ON OPEN BURNING: EXCEPTION(S)

• Open burning is prohibited in the City of Detroit unless specifically permitted by
  ordinance.
• Permitted forms of open burning. The following forms of open burning shall be
  permitted in the City of Detroit to the extent that such burning does not cause a
  nuisance:
  • Campfires using clean wood on private property owned or leased by the
    person directly supervising the campfire and not within 10 feet of any fixed
    flammable object or property line:
  • The operation of an outdoor cooking unit in a location that is:
    • Within the rear yard or the side yard of private property and not
      within 10 feet any fixed flammable object or property line:
    • Not directly beneath a roof or enclosure; and
    • Under direct supervision of the property owner, lessee, of the unit.

D. LIABILITY

The property owner engaging in any form of open burning shall be responsible for all fire
suppression costs and other liabilities resulting from damage caused by the fire.

E. RIGHT OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION

The Fire Marshal, his or her designee, or any authorized officer, agent, employee, or
representative of the Detroit Fire Department who presents credentials may inspect any property in response to a complaint or where there exists evidence of open burning to ascertain
compliance with the provisions of this section for the maintenance of public health and safety.

F. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES 

• The Detroit Fire Department and of its representative officers or agents is authorized
  to enforce the provisions of this ordinance.
• It shall be unlawful to engage in open burning, with the exception of those activities
  specifically referenced in Section 18-1-83 of the 2019 Detroit City Code as permitted
  forms of open burning. Any person engaging in unlawful open burning shall be
  responsible for a municipal civil infraction subject to assessment of a civil fine of up
  to $500.00.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

1. AIR CONDITIONERS/ HEAT PUMPS/ GENERATORS
2. ANIMALS AND PETS
3. ANIMAL CONTROL & DOG LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
4. CARPETING
5. CURBSIDE RECYCLING
6. SOLID WASTE HANDLING (AND FINES)
7. HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
8. LITTER
9. REFUSE AND RUBBISH
10. RUBBISH ACCUMULATED WHEN RESIDENT MOVES
11. RODENT HARBORAGE
12. PLAYING GAMES IN STREETS
13. SWIMMING POOLS
14. SIDEWALKS (REPAIR & SNOW REMOVAL)
15. TREE STUMPS, LIMBS AND CUTTINGS
16. VACANT PROPERTY
17. HOME MAINTENANCE RELATED FINES
18. NOISE RELATED FINES