After completing its Master Plan in 2018, the City of River Rouge embarked on a Zoning Ordinance update with the goal of aligning with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Redevelopment Ready Communities best practices. The Zoning Ordinance update included several much-needed changes, such as a dedicated downtown district with design standards that complied with the recommendations in the West Jefferson Corridor Plan. The Zoning Ordinance was reorganized to be more user-friendly with tables to summarize information and graphics to clarify technical language. The new Zoning Ordinance also includes a "Special Green Overlay" to permit adult use marihuana uses in carefully selected areas of the city.