Lansing Zoning & Land Use Guide
Notable local initiatives in Lansing
Named ordinances, statutes, and reforms specific to Lansing — each linked to an official source you can verify directly.
Lansing Form-Based Code (Title 6, Lansing Code of Ordinances)
Lansing has adopted a Form-Based Code (FBC) approach to regulate building form, scale, and street-relationship rather than relying solely on traditional use-based Euclidean zoning. The FBC was developed as part of the 'Shaping the Avenue' initiative (a joint effort with East Lansing, Lansing Township, Meridian Township, and CATA, supported by a federal TOD pilot grant) targeting the Michigan Avenue / Saginaw Street corridor between the State Capitol and Meridian Mall.
Source · lansingmi.govDesign Lansing Comprehensive Plan(2012)
Design Lansing, adopted in 2012, is the city's comprehensive master plan and the policy basis for subsequent zoning reform including the Form-Based Code. It calls for redevelopment along the Michigan Avenue corridor, mixed-use intensification of REO Town and Old Town, and replacement of the legacy Euclidean zoning ordinance.
Source · lansingmi.govBrownfield Redevelopment Authority and Act 381 TIF
Lansing makes heavy use of Brownfield Tax Increment Financing under Michigan PA 381 of 1996 (the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act) to redevelop contaminated, blighted, or functionally obsolete sites. The city's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority captures the property-tax increment from redeveloped properties to reimburse eligible cleanup, demolition, lead/asbestos abatement, and site-preparation costs, supporting projects across the city.
Source · michigan.govLansing Zoning Ordinance (Code of Ordinances Title 6)
Lansing's zoning regulations are codified in Title 6 of the Code of Ordinances, hosted on Municode. The ordinance establishes the R-A, R-G, D-1, and other districts and sets use, area, height, bulk, and parking standards, along with site plan and special-use procedures.
Source · library.municode.comMichigan Zoning Enabling Act (PA 110 of 2006)(2006)
Lansing exercises zoning authority under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, PA 110 of 2006 (MCL 125.3101 et seq.), which consolidated Michigan's prior city/township/county zoning statutes. Michigan has no statewide ADU preemption, so all ADU rules in Lansing are set locally by Title 6.
Source · legislature.mi.gov
Key Zoning Facts
Regulatory Layers That Apply in Lansing
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
- View FEMA Flood Map
State — Michigan
- Building Code: Michigan Building Code (based on 2021 IBC)
County — Ingham County
- Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning
City / Municipal
The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
- Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Min Lot
- 6,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 30 ft
- Front Setback
- 25 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Rear Setback
- 30 ft
- Min Lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max Height
- 45 ft
- Front Setback
- 15 ft
- Side Setback
- 8 ft
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft
- Min Lot
- None
- Max Height
- No limit
- Front Setback
- 0 ft
- Side Setback
- 0 ft
- Rear Setback
- 0 ft
ADU Rules in Lansing
- Max Size
- 750 sq ft
- Max Height
- 18 ft
- Rear Setback
- 5 ft
- Side Setback
- 5 ft
- Parking
- 1 space required
- Owner Occupancy
- Owner must occupy one unit
- Permit Timeline
- 60-90 days
Permit Costs & Timelines
Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines
Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.
Check current Lansing permit information →Official Sources
City-specific