Planning Applications

Please see below for applications provided by the Office of Planning. Applications can be submitted via BS&A Online or via email at shplanning@sterlingheights.gov.

To access these forms online, you'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Applications

• Pre-Preliminary Plan Review Overview and Application
• Rezoning Application
• Site Plan/Special Land Use/PUD Application
• Temporary Use Application (Fillable)
• Tree Removal Application
• ZBA Board of Appeals Application (Fillable)

Checklists & Information for Submittals

• Addendum to Petition to Amend the Zoning Ordinance
• Plot Plan Submittal Requirements
• Special Approval Land Use Rules and Procedures
• Temporary Use Checklist
• Temporary Use Checklist (Food Truck) and Mobile Food Vehicle Inspection Application 

Guide to Development

The flowchart below is a sample guide for how to progress through the development process in the City of Sterling Heights. Please note that the time between each of the phases may vary based on the size and scope of each project.

A more detailed description of each individual development option can be found below:

Special Approval Land Use

Article 25. Special Land Use and Other Discretionary Land Use Approvals

Special Approval Land Uses vary depending on the underlying zoning. The City of Sterling Heights Planning Commission shall have the power to approve or disapprove all special approval land uses, except that the City Council shall be the approving authority with respect to special approval land uses which have been approved by the City Council through a Planned Center District, as part of a Planned Unit Development, pursuant to a conditional rezoning, or if they are a residential project in the Van Dyke Mixed Use District.

The checklist items required for submission can be found on the second page of the application above.

Following the acceptance of a complete application and the payment from the applicant the Office of Planning will prepare the staff report and materials for the public hearing.

Rezoning

Article 32. Zoning Changes and Amendments

An amendment to this ordinance text and/or map may be initiated by petition of a property owner, vested party or one with a legal interest.

The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on any proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance before making a recommendation to the City Council. After the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall forward to the City Council a summary of the comments submitted at the public hearing and its recommendations on the proposed amendment.

The rezoning may be a conventional rezoning of the property or may be contingent upon conditions provided in writing to the Office of Planning that are submitted with the application.

Variances

Article 30. Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals hears cases for granting variances to the Zoning Ordinance when an applicant has a practical difficulty or hardship that prevents them from carrying our the strict letter of the zoning ordinance.

The applicant is required to fill out the application above, including the form related to the reason why they are unable to comply with the zoning ordinance, before this is considered a complete application.

An application for approval of a variance shall not be processed or placed on an agenda for a public hearing, if a public hearing is required for approval under the Zoning Ordinance, if the site and/or building for which the variance is sought is subject to any outstanding, unresolved Property Maintenance Code violation. Any outstanding Property Maintenance Code violation must be first resolved by correcting the violation or by having the applicant/property owner sign a written code compliance agreement with the City setting forth a written commitment by the applicant/property owner to bring the site and/or building into full compliance with all provisions of the Property Maintenance Code within a specific time period acceptable to the City Development Director.

Site Plan Review

Article 26. Site Plan Review Requirements and Procedures

The Planning Commission approves site plans for projects that are associated with a Special Approval Land Use or that are abutting a single-family zoned property following a public hearing.

Following approval by the Planning Commission all projects must undergo an administrative site plan review. This process begins with a preliminary site plan review from the Office of Planning with reviews from the Fire Department, Office of Assessing, and Building Department. The timeframe for a first review at the preliminary phase is two weeks. Following Preliminary Site Plan approval the project undergoes review from the Office of Engineering; where the first review can take six weeks. Following Engineering Approval the Office of Planning completes the tree preservation review and then is able to issue final site plan approval.

All projects that can be approved administratively are found under the “Permitted Use” section of each zoning classification in the Zoning Ordinance.

The Office of Planning can administratively review all site plans for commercial, office, industrial, and multi-family projects so long as they are not abutting a single-family residential district.

Special Development Options

Article 22. Special Development Options

Special Development Options under the ordinance include site condominiums, one-family cluster options, planned subdivision options, planned unit developments, major industrial facility redevelopment options, and Corridor Improvement Authority development areas. These development options may require a variety of different approval options through the Planning Commission or City Council.