A Development Permit from the Planning Department is required for paved areas on the homeowner’s property.
- New parking areas, including driveways must be paved (concrete, asphalt, or concrete pavers). Crushed and/or milled concrete or asphalt cannot be used.
- Driveway must extend at least 18 feet past the front of the house. If there is a garage, the driveway must go all the way to the garage.
- The minimum driveway width is 8 feet. Minimum width of the drive approach is 10 feet.
- Driveways and/or parking areas are not allowed in a front yard (no circle drives or front yard parking pads).
- A driveway can be placed up to the lot line. However, no driveway or paved parking area shall cause water runoff onto a neighboring property.
- Driveway size is limited by lot coverage allowances, which differ by zoning district: In an R-1 zone, 10% of the lot may be covered with paved surfaces; R-2 is 15%; R-3 is 20%. This includes driveways, sidewalks, patios, and parking pads.
- If work is to be done in the public right-of-way to construct, replace, or repair a driveway approach, a Right of Way Permit will also need to be obtained from the Engineering Department.
- Driveways for new construction (i.e. a new home) do not require a separate Development Permit – the driveway should be included on the site plan for the home. However, you will still need to check with the Engineering Department if a curb cut is required, or work is to be done in the City right-of-way (see ).
- Existing driveways may be “grandfathered”, or subject to regulations under a previous ordinance.
For additional information on vehicle storage regulations, see Section 2316 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
Applications should be submitted with applicable fees to the Planning Department either in person at City Hall, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to:
City of Muskegon Planning Department
933 Terrace Street
Muskegon, MI 49440