Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 16, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-12616
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SUI
Entity Registrant Name	SUN COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000912593
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		93,307,207
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-2730780
Entity Address, Address Line One	27777 Franklin Rd,
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200,
Entity Address, City or Town	Southfield,
Entity Address, State or Province	MI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	48034
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
City Area Code	248
Local Phone Number	208-2500