City of River Rouge
City of River Rouge
Planner/Zoning Administrator
Phone: (248) 692-8013 Ext 137
Email: leader@cityofriverrouge.org
Community Liason
Phone: (313) 842-4203 Ext 224
Welcome to the Department of Community Development. Our Department works with all community stakeholders to improve River Rouge’s quality of life and is the primary contact and liaison for the City’s Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Our department is also responsible for Community Development Block Grant administration.
All applications should be submitted to the Building Department via email at building@cityofriverrouge.org or in person.
The Community Development Department is responsible for reviewing site plans, special land use, planned unit development (PUD), zoning variances, and re-zoning applications.
For assistance with these processes, we recommend reviewing the River Rouge Development Handbook – your guide to buying and developing property, starting a business, and investing in River Rouge.
Pre-application meetings are available to every applicant at no cost. These meetings are usually conducted over the phone or via Zoom and provide an opportunity to meet with the Director, Planner, Engineer, and other City staff prior to submitting an application.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide early informal review of proposed projects and help avoid costly mistakes or delays later in the process. Conceptual site plan review meetings with the Planning Commission are also available upon request.
To request a meeting, please call or email the Community Development Director.
All applications must be submitted in both print and digital format to the Community Development Department. Please review your application packet for specific instructions regarding the number and size of print copies required.
The City of River Rouge accepts check payments only. All checks must be made payable to the “City of River Rouge” and submitted with the required application fee.
If an escrow account is required for your project, a separate check must be provided for the escrow amount.
The Zoning Ordinance is a municipal law that governs land use, property development, and zoning districts within the City of River Rouge. The Planning and Zoning Administrator assists individuals wishing to discuss the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
The City Master Plan serves as a guide for future land use, development, transportation, zoning, housing, public facilities, and services throughout the City of River Rouge. The Master Plan works in conjunction with the City’s Zoning Ordinance and is used to evaluate development proposals, City projects, and policies to ensure continued progress toward the community’s vision.
There are three important development review bodies in River Rouge: the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), and City Council.
The Planning Commission reviews and approves site plans, special land uses, rezonings, conditional rezonings, zoning ordinance text changes, and planned unit developments.
The City Council approves special land uses, rezonings, conditional rezonings, zoning ordinance text changes, and planned unit developments.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is responsible for approving variances and due process appeals.
Minutes and agendas may be obtained from the Clerk’s Office.
Submission Deadlines: For all submissions requiring Planning Commission or ZBA review, applications must be submitted no less than three weeks prior to the desired meeting date.
2023 Planning Commission and ZBA Annual Report
Please review the River Rouge Development Handbook for frequently asked questions or contact the Community Development Department for assistance.
Information regarding small business assistance and incentives is also available within the Development Handbook.
To apply for a building permit, visit the Building Department or stop by the Building Department at City Hall.
