Codes and Guidelines

Unified Development Code

The Unified Development Code (Chapter 55 of Title V of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor) divides the City into zoning districts and contains the development standards for construction in the City, such as permitted uses, setback and height regulations, parking, landscaping and buffering, signs and fences, and the approval procedures for new construction and redevelopment. All development standards and regulations are provided in the UDC. Download a copy of the current edition here:

Unified Development Code (PDF) - Tenth Edition, effective February 6, 2025, including amendments through Ordinance 24-31.

Unpublished Amendments

The following amendments have been approved since the publishing of the Tenth Edition of the Unified Development Code:

Ordinance 25-05 Nonconforming Structures - Amendment to Section 5.32.2 to revise the standards for alterations to a nonconforming structure so that an alteration to any type of building may be approved under certain conditions. Approved April 7, 2025, effective April 27, 2025.
Ordinance 25-08 General Entertainment Uses - Amendment to Sections 5.15 and 5.16 to remove the use specific standards related to General Entertainment uses, which limit the capacity of enclosed theatres in the C1B district and restrict the districts where pinball parlors are permitted. Theatres of any capacity and pinball parlors are permitted wherever General Entertainment uses are permitted. Approved April 21, 2025, effective May 11, 2025.
Ordinance 25-09 Design Review - Amendments to revise the permitted and prohibited materials for building design requirements on certain designated streets in the downtown zoning areas in Section 5.17.6.C, eliminate the section addressing the membership, terms, powers and duties of the Design Review Board in Section 5.27.5, and modify the section providing the intent, applicability, submittal requirements, timing, number of reviews, required notice, meetings and reports, so design reviews are performed administratively, including removal of references to the Design Review Board, in Section 5.28.5. Approved April 21, 2025, effective May 11, 2025.