The City of Muskegon passed our Zoning Reform on 11/26/24. Learn about the process below.

How do we know we’re in a housing shortage? We hired a national firm to complete a study in 2022 and they produced a “Housing Needs Assessment.” The results show that the city of Muskegon needs roughly 3,000 more housing units to keep up with demand...by 2027! This Zoning Reform focuses on single-family residential areas of the city (the pink section of the pie chart below). Remember, the amount of land within the city limits isn’t changing so we’re finding solutions with the footprint we already have.

The ideas below have been simplified from their original version. Watch the linked videos under the "Zoning Reform Timeline" section below to learn more technical information or attend one of the Zoning Reform Public Meetings to learn more.

IDEA 1

Adjust the rules to allow houses to be built on smaller lots.

Amend all single-family zoning districts to match the current area and bulk requirements of the current R-3 district.

We currently have three types of zoning districts that allow for single-family homes. The major difference between the three zones is the smallest a lot can be to have a house on it. This idea aims to allow houses to be built on smaller lots across the city.

IDEA 2

Adjust the rules so multi-unit houses can be built in neighborhoods.

Amend single-family zoning districts to allow up to three units (the original idea was to allow four units, but was reduced to three with resident feedback).

Most of our residential areas only allow single-family homes to be constructed. This idea aims to allow new buildings containing up to three housing units and backyard accessory dwelling units to be built across the city.

IDEA 3

Adjust the rules so that existing houses can add units more easily.

Amend design standards for various building types to make it simpler to add units to existing houses. These rules will encourage housing that fits in with the surrounding neighborhood.

IDEA 4

Adjust the rules to reduce parking requirements in residential areas (the orginal idea was to eliminate parking requirements, but was scaled back to require one space based on resident feedback).

Did you know? Newly constructed houses are currently required to build two parking spaces for every new housing unit. No data is backing up this requirement.

Most of the housing built in past years does not need as much parking as currently required. Reducing or eliminating the parking requirement will make building new housing simpler and more affordable. Studies show that parking will still be built but only what is necessary.