HB 5583
Limiting Excessive Setback Requirements in Urban Areas
House Bill 5583 updates Michigan’s Zoning Enabling Act to limit excessively large setback requirements for homes and outbuildings in metropolitan areas.
Today, many local zoning ordinances require deep front, side, or rear setbacks that significantly reduce buildable area—especially on smaller lots. HB 5583 sets statewide limits on setback distances in urban and near-urban communities while preserving environmental protections.
What the bill does
Caps residential setback requirements in metropolitan areas:
For local governments located in whole or in part within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA), or adjacent to one, zoning ordinances may not require setbacks greater than:
15 feet from the front property line
5 feet from the rear property line
5 feet from a side property line
Allows limited expanded setbacks (up to 25 feet) only when adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas, including:
Wetlands
Inland lakes or streams
The ordinary high water mark of the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair
Defines “metropolitan statistical area” using the federal Office of Management and Budget definition.
Why this matters
Large setback requirements are one of the most common but least visible constraints on housing production. Deep front yards and wide side yards can:
Reduce buildable space on small or infill lots
Make small-lot development financially infeasible
Increase per-home land costs
Limit compact neighborhood design
By capping setbacks in urban areas—while preserving environmental buffer protections—HB 5583:
Encourages efficient land use
Supports infill housing
Reduces unnecessary land consumption
Maintains protections for wetlands and water resources
The bill narrows excessive dimensional standards without eliminating local authority over height, density, or use.
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2/24/2026: Introduced by Representative Matt Longjohn
Referred to Committee on Government Operations
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Matt Longjohn (District 40)
Stephen Wooden (District 81)
Carrie Rheingans (District 47)
Kristian Grant (District 82)
Brenda Carter (District 53)
Sharon MacDonell (District 56)
Jasper Martus (District 69)
Tom Kunse (District 100)
Carol Glanville (District 84)
Jason Morgan (District 23)
Noah Arbit (District 20)
Jimmie Wilson (District 32)
Cynthia Neeley (District 70)
Kimberly Edwards (District 12)
Amos O'Neal (District 94)
Joey Andrews (District 38)
Mai Xiong (District 13)
Tyrone Carter (District 1)
Penelope Tsernoglou (District 75)
Joseph Aragona (District 60)
Joseph Tate (District 9)
Luke Meerman (District 89)
Donavan McKinney (District 11)
Helena Scott (District 8)
Mike Hoadley (District 99)
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