City of Kalamazoo, MI Zoning Districts

Refer to Figure 1.2-1 for the Zoning Map of the following districts.

Neighborhood Node District (N-Node). Neighborhood Nodes are intended to create walkable, vibrant mixed-use commercial areas in Kalamazoo neighborhoods with a focus on building forms that promote inviting public places. Neighborhood Nodes allow a wide range of commercial uses on the ground floor with commercial and residential uses allowed on upper floors. Neighborhood Node locations can be found in the Master Plan, Future Land Development Map and are often associated with the Neighborhood Business street type.

Live-Work 1 District (LW1). Live-Work 1 promotes a wide mix of commercial and residential uses in a scale and with a building form compatible with Kalamazoo neighborhoods and corridors. Live-Work 1 standards focus on the building form, specifically along the street, while allowing a flexible list of uses within the building.

Live-Work 2 District (LW2). Live-Work 2 is intended to promote a wide mix of uses, including residential, commercial, and craftsman industrial uses. Typically located adjacent to the Downtown or in areas of transition between commercial or industrial and neighborhoods. Live-Work 2 is similar to Live-Work 1, but allows for more urban-scaled development.

Downtown 1 (D1). Downtown 1 supports the key retail blocks of Downtown Kalamazoo by promoting a mix of uses with the most active permitted on the ground floor. This district is intended for the active, walkable core blocks that focus on retail, entertainment, and service uses, storefronts, pedestrian-scaled signage, and access to shared parking facilities. Typically found on Urban Center or Event/Festival street types.

Downtown 2 (D2). This district is similar to Downtown 1, but with more flexibility in its form and permitted uses. It is intended for blocks directly adjacent to those in Downtown 1. Typically found on Main Street or Event/Festival street types.

Downtown 3 (D3). Promotes a wide mix of uses, including residential, commercial, and civic uses in building forms that support the scale and intensity of Downtown Kalamazoo. Typically found on Main Street or Commercial Business street types.

Commercial Node (C-Node). The Commercial Node District supports the development and redevelopment of medium-sized commercial and mixed-use centers serving the adjacent neighborhood and other neighborhoods in the City, as noted in the 2025 Master Plan. The district is typically found at or near the intersection of major corridors, typically including Commercial Business street types. A wide range of retail, service, and office uses is permitted; residential uses are permitted with design standards. While much of the current development in these districts is set back with parking along the front property lines, the zoning standards encourage new development to be closer to the sidewalk recognizing that these centers serve those traveling by car on the major corridors, as well as on foot, bike, and in buses.

Community Commercial District 2 (CC2). Community Commercial 2 District supports small- to medium-scale commercial and mixed-use development typically found on major corridors where they intersect with residential streets and blocks. Retail, service, and office uses are permitted; residential uses are permitted with design standards. Though much of the existing development in this district is set back with parking in the front, the scale of the buildings and the location at the end of residential blocks makes these areas ripe for increased walkability. The zoning standards in this district reflect this to support users traveling by foot, bike, bus, and car.

Community Commercial District (CC). A Community Commercial District supports medium- to large-scale commercial and mixed-use development with a City-wide or regional market focus. This district is typically found on major corridors, specifically City Connectors, and often near highway access. A wide range of retail, service, and office uses is permitted. Residential uses are permitted with design standards.

Institutional Campus (IC). The Institutional Campus District supports the development and continued growth and evolution of institutions or businesses in a campus setting, such as a college or university, institutional uses such as hospitals or large religious assemblies, and large office and/or industrial campuses. This district requires the approval of a campus master plan that establishes a framework for growth and development and standards. Refer to § 50-6.3.