Custom Home Builder in Grosse Pointe, MI
Building In Grosse Pointe
In the City of Grosse Pointe, a new home almost always replaces an older one, on a street where the neighbors are close and the trees are mature. A few lots sit on or beside Lake St. Clair, where the city has its own rules for the shore.
We work alongside your architect or designer. They lead the design. We help make sure it fits the lot and the city’s rules, keep you informed at every step, and build it with care.
What To Know Before You Build In Grosse Pointe
This is what the City of Grosse Pointe itself publishes. Each link goes to the city’s own page, which is the one to rely on.
Permits
Building permits are handled by the city’s Building Department at City Hall, and the city takes applications in person, by mail or online. As the city describes its process, a single-family home does not go through a separate planning review. The city does not publish a review time, so we will give you a realistic picture when we talk.
Source: City of Grosse Pointe, Building Permits. Checked October 11, 2026.
Lots On The Lake
The city’s code sets where a home sits on a lot on or beside Lake St. Clair. As published, the lake side is treated as the front of the home, and the distance back from it is listed as 75 feet. The code says the city can reduce that to match the neighboring home that sits farthest back. It also covers seawalls, and lists state and federal approval for seawall work before the city’s permit. We look at all of this with you early.
Source: City of Grosse Pointe, Code of Ordinances. Checked October 11, 2026.
Street Trees
The city’s code places the trees between the sidewalk and the street under the city’s care. The code lists the city’s written permission for digging or a new driveway close to one. Before any tree is touched, we check the current rules for your property with the city.
Source: City of Grosse Pointe, Code of Ordinances. Checked October 11, 2026.
While We Are Building
The city sets the hours for building work, and they are ours to follow, not yours. The city’s code lists the hours for building, digging and taking a house down as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and not on Sundays.
Source: City of Grosse Pointe, Code of Ordinances. Checked October 11, 2026.
Water And Sewer
Grosse Pointe has public water and sewer. The city’s page says the roof’s rainwater pipes are not to be connected to the sewer, and that the city checks this before move-in. The city also advises a camera inspection of the sewer line before buying a home, which is good advice if you are buying one to rebuild.
Source: City of Grosse Pointe, Water and Sewer. Checked October 11, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Grosse Pointe decides what is allowed on each property, and its rules change. For anything official, Grosse Pointe City Hall is on (313) 885-5800. We are always happy to check with them for you. This page is about the City of Grosse Pointe. The Farms, Park, Shores and Woods are separate cities with their own rules.
Questions About Building In Grosse Pointe
How far back from Lake St. Clair does the City of Grosse Pointe place a home?
The city sets this for each lot. For a lot on or beside Lake St. Clair, its code lists 75 feet, and says the city can reduce that to match the neighboring home that sits farthest back. We look at the lot with you and confirm with the city.
Does the City of Grosse Pointe publish a list for taking a house down?
That is the city’s decision for each property. The city does not publish a separate list for this, so we confirm what it asks for with the Building Department for your address. We guide you through each step.
What hours does the Grosse Pointe code list for building and digging?
The city sets the hours. Its code lists them as 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and not on Sundays. We plan our work around them.
What does the Grosse Pointe code say about the trees between the sidewalk and the street?
Tree rules are set by the city. Its code places the trees between the sidewalk and the street under the city’s care, and lists the city’s written permission for work close to one. We check the current rules for your property with the city.
What does the City of Grosse Pointe say about the sewer line and roof rainwater?
The city’s page says the roof’s rainwater pipes are not to be connected to the sewer, and that the city checks this before move-in. It also advises a camera inspection of the sewer line before buying a home. We plan the drainage for the new home with that in mind.
This is general information, not legal advice or an official answer. The City of Grosse Pointe decides what is allowed on each property. Sources: the City of Grosse Pointe pages linked above. Checked October 11, 2026.
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