Development, Planning & Zoning

The City of Grosse Pointe hosts a unique and diverse selection of stores with an unmatched reputation for excellence. With it's beautiful and convenient shopping environment with generous parking and a relaxed pace, the City of Grosse Pointe is the premier location for starting your next business.

Whether you are looking for a quite close-knit community of residential neighborhoods, stately tree-lined streets, or lakeside recreational facilities, Grosse Pointe residents enjoy a distinctive small-town atmosphere, and yet are within easy reach of the nation’s fifth largest metropolitan area.  This combination results in a delightful mix of picturesque retail districts providing unique shopping and business opportunities.

Choose from any one of these amazing shopping districts including Downtown Grosse Pointe - The Village, Fisher Road shops, or Mack Avenue stores.  Either way, Grosse Pointe offers a diverse range of opportunities for your business.

Below, you’ll find helpful links and additional information for approving your new business in the City of Grosse Pointe:

  1. Applying for a Business License:  For an application, Click Here
  2. Applying for a Site Plan:  For an application, Click Here
  3. Applying for a Sign Permit:  For an application, Click Here,
  4. Applying for a Portable Sign:  For an application, Click Here
  5. Applying for a Building Permit:  For an application, Click Here
  6. Applying for a ROW Obstruction Permit:  For an application, Click Here
  7. Applying for a Parking Permit:  For parking and permit information, Click Here
  8. Applying for a Zoning Board of Appeals Variance:  For an application, Click Here
  9. Applying to establish a Planned Unit Development (PUD): For an application, Click Here
  10. Liquor License Guidelines and Application
  11.  City's Zoning Map
  12. City's Development Fee Schedule
  13. City's Code of Ordinances
  14. City's Master Plan



CITY COUNCIL TRAINING MATERIALS FOR REDEVELOPMENT READY COMMUNITY (RRC) COMPLIANCE

October 18, 2021 City Council Training Session - Discretionary Planning and Zoning Decisions

March 21, 2022 City Council Training Session - Accessory Dwelling Units

April 18, 2022 City Council Training Session - Bed & Breakfasts




Conceptual review meetings for potential new developments are also available.  This can be helpful to ensure that a potential project is within the intent of the City's Master Plan and ordinances before submitting a formal development plan application.  Please contact the City Manager to request and organize a conceptual review meeting with the appropriate departmental and planning staff: 

Peter Dame
City Manager
17147 Maumee Ave.
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
313-885-5800
PJDame@grossepointecity.org


The City of Grosse Pointe will accept checks made out to "City of Grosse Pointe" or by credit card at City Hall.  Forms and payments can also be made online from the City website under online services for the building department online payment page.  [Note: an online applicant will need to register with BS&A online services and obtain a PIN number from a City of Grosse Pointe Building clerk at 313 885-5800.]


CITY OF GROSSE POINTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN

The City of Grosse Pointe is required by State law and the City’s Code of Ordinances to pursue public participation in planning and development projects. The City follows a comprehensive public involvement process, providing timely information through public notice, and supports early and continuing involvement of stakeholders in the planning and review process. The City Council and the City’s advisory boards and commissions hold public meetings at generally convenient and accessible locations and times, make information publicly available in accessible formats on the City’s website, and employ various methods to target larger audiences when needed. In addition to those required measures, whenever needed or feasible, the City implements additional measures to engage the community and a broad and diverse set of stakeholders in the review process.

The City of Grosse Pointe Public Participation Plan contains policies and procedures for public involvement and outreach in the City’s planning and development review and approval processes. This plan addresses topics such as planning and zoning applications, comprehensive and master planning, zoning code amendments, and financial and/or tax assistance requests for private redevelopment projects.  To view a complete copy of the City’s Public Participation Plan, Click Here.


DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BODIES

Planning Commission - The City of Grosse Pointe Plan Commission, which is comprised of members of the City Council as designated by the City Charter, reviews the community's master plan update, proposed zoning changes, commercial development site plans, and other duties under the Michigan Planning Act.   This Commission’s items are heard as part of the City Council’s agenda as completed applications and items are submitted to the City staff and ready for consideration.  Such meetings are typically held on the 3rd Monday of the month.  Please find the Planning Commission bylaws HERE.

A copy of the 2021 Annual Planning Report of the Planning Commission Activities and the 2022 Work Program can be viewed HERE.

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) - The Zoning Board of Appeals, which is also comprised of members of the City Council, reviews variance requests and handles other duties as called for under Michigan law and the City Zoning Ordinance.  This Board’s items are heard as part of the City Council’s agenda as completed applications and items are submitted to the City staff and ready for consideration.  Such meetings are typically held on the 3rd Monday of the month.  Please find the ZBA bylaws HERE.
 



The Main Street Grosse Pointe DDA has a wealth of information about The Village, Downtown Grosse Pointe.