City of Kentwood Residential Handbook
(A Handbook Containing General Regulations for Residential Property Owners)
Contents
All vehicles parked outside of a building must be licensed, operable and capable of
safely operating on City streets. For further information please contact the Code Enforment Office at (616) 656-6574.
(Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3 Section 3.13)
The owner of a residential home may repair their car on-site only if the repair is conducted within an enclosed building such as a garage. For further information or to register a complaint, please contact the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
Selling of cars or other vehicles is prohibited unless they are owned by the property owner or the vehicle owner has permission of the property owner to display the
vehicle for sale. Sales are limited to no more thant two vehicles within a calendar year. Placement of such vehicle is limited to the driveway or other hard surface parking area. For further information contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
(City Ordinance Chapter 86 Article 4)
Recreational equipment, including but not limited to RVs, trailers and boats, may
not be stored within the front yard. Recreational vehicles and equipment owner by a residential property owner must be stored in the rear yard unless it is not feasible to do so, then they may be stored within a side yard provided they are placed as far from adjoining lot lines as possible. For corner
lots recreational vehicles cannot be stored in either yard fronting a street and must either be stored in the rear yard or the side yard that borders additional property. Open storage of unlicensed or inoperable recreational vehicles or equipment is prohibited.
To file a complaint, please contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
Recreational vehicles may not be parked upon a public street or road right-of-way or within a public utility easement or right-of-way. For further information please contact the Police Department at (616) 698-6580.
Commercial vehicles exceeding one (1) ton capacity and large equipment and machinery may not be parked or stored within a residential area of the City, unless
they are being used to perform a specific task. For further information or to register a complaint please contact the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
Vehicles may be parked on City streets where and when permitted. Vehicles parked
in the front yard may be parked within enclosed garages and similar structures, on an improved driveway or under a carport. For further information please contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
Skateboard ramps are allowed with the approval of the City Commission and review and approval of the Building Inspections Department. For more information on the
process to obtain approval or to register a complaint, please contact the Inspections Department at (616) 554-0700.
One or more garbage containers with tightly fitted lids must be used for the disposal of household refuse. Such containers shall be stored inside a building or at the rear or side of a building. Containers must not be placed out for collection before 6:00 pm on the preceding day scheduled for collection.
Junk, trash, rubbish or similar materials shall not be allowed to accumulate on any property.
Refridgerators and freezers when discarded must have their latches, locks or doors
removed from them. For further information please contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
With some exceptions, such as on undeveloped lots, lots must be mowed and may not have growth over six (6) inches in height. Lots must be landscaped with grass. For further information please contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
Lots cannot substitute gravel, wood chips or other non-vegetative materials for grass. This does not exclude the allowance for the decorative use of such materials. For further information or to register a complaint, please contact the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
Trees, shrubs, bushes, weeds and other growth must not obstruct a sidewalk, driveway, street or other public right-of-way. No vegetation, except for shrubbery less than 30 inches in height, may be placed within a 25' x 25' triangular area near the corner of a corner lot. This clear view
triangle is measured from the property line (not the pavement edge of the street). Complaints about existing trees (those adjacent to public streets) should be directed to the Public Works Department at (616) 554-0736. Complaints about trees owned by an adjacent property owner should be discussed with that property owner to attempt to resolve the issue. If the issue cannot be resolved or if bad relations exist, a resident can contact the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan at (616) 774-0121 to request their mediator service.
Mailboxes may be placed on posts within the public right-of-way if the posts are
either a 4" x 4" wood post or a 3lb/ft (maximum) metal post. For further information or to register a complaint please contact the Engineering Department at (616) 698-6439.
Residents are responsible for removing snow, ice and other obstructions from the
sidewalk in front of their homes as well as from around fire hydrants. Snow pile must not be placed in the street, on sidewalks or on other areas that may impede vision of motorists or pedestrians. Snow may not be piled upon adjacent property owners land. For further information please contact the Code Enforcement Office at (616) 656-6574.
Fences are allowed within residential areas provided they are erected in conformance with City regulations. A permit is required for any fence exceeding 30 inches in height. For further information please contact the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
The City encourages residents to establish home based businesses within the City
and has established a process for their review and approval. If you are thinking about establishing a home based business, please refer to
Home Occupation Businesses.
A residential lot is allowed to have up to two (20 accessory building; a garage and a shed or what are most typically erected. A permit is nearly always required before a garage or accessory building may be erected. Questions about the size, location and number of accessory buildings should be directed to the Planning Department (616) 554-0707. Questions about the building permit application process and all building codes should be directed to the Buiding Inspections Department at (616) 554-0700.
Swimming pools and hot tubs may be installed upon a residential lot provided they
meet all applicable building and zoning codes. If you are interested in installing a pool, please contact the Building Inspections Office at (616) 554-0700.
Child's playhouses and play equipment are allowed in the rear yard provided the total gross floor area does not exceed one hundred (100) square feet. Playhouses
cannot exceed fifteen (15) feet in height and must be placed so that there is a minimum of three (3) feet between the drip edge of the roof and the side or rear property lines. For more information, please contact the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
Porches and gazebos may be erected upon review and approval of the Building Inspections Department. Enclosed porches are required to meet all setbacks for the
main building. Unenclosed porches, steps, patios or similar construction may not project into a required front or rear yard setback by more than ten (10) feet. Residents interested in erecting a porch, gazebo or similar structure should contact the Inspections Department at (616) 554-0700 for further information or to obtain a building permit.
Satellite dish antennas or other similar devices one (1) meter or less in diameter
may be attached to a roof provided they are installed according to manufacturer's requirements and building codes and would not be subject to the regulations of Section 3.18 of the City of Kentwood Zoning Ordinance. If you have any questions, contact the Inspections Department at (616) 554-0700 or the Planning Department at (616) 554-0707.
City of Kentwood Ordinance 22 Article 8 restricts open burning within the City of Kentwood. Use of an approved enclosed appliance for a recreational fire may be allowable if all the following restrictions are met:
Appliance means a listed or certified fireplace intended for outdoor use.
Open Burning means a fire from which the products of combustion are emitted directly into the open air without passing through a stack or chimney.
- The appliance shall be a purchased appliance, not homemade.
- The appliance shall be listed or certified by an acceptable listing agency for this purpose.
- There shall be a garden hose or fire extinguisher near the appliance and ready for use.
- The appliance shall not be located on any combustible surface.
- The appliance shall be fully enclosed with screens in place, lid on, etc.
- There shall always be an adult present while the appliance is in use.
- There shall be only fire wood burned in the appliance. No yard waste, trash, paper, leaves or any other combustibles are permitted.
- The appliance shall be a safe distance from any structure, vehicle, fence, etc.
- The fire shall be fully extinguished after use and no fire shall be left unattended.
If the above criteria are not met, a complaint is received about the use of the appliance or the appliance is not being used safely, the fire will need to be extinguished.