Ferndale, Michigan zoning
A plain-language summary of the Ferndale zoning ordinance, organized by district and topic. Source: the official ordinance on city-hosted PDF (Municipal Code Online mirror), last reviewed June 14, 2026.
Zoning districts
| Code | Name | Category | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 | Residential | Residential | Ferndale's base residential district, with one- and two-unit homes by right on lots as small as 4,000 square feet. |
| R-2 | Residential | Residential | A residential district with the same dimensional numbers as R-1 that also permits three-unit, four-unit, and multiple-unit dwellings by right. |
| MXD-1 | Neighborhood Mixed-Use | Mixed use | Neighborhood-scale mixed use, pairing housing of all sizes with shops, restaurants, and services. |
| MXD-2 | Corridor Mixed-Use | Mixed use | A more intense mixed-use corridor district, and the only district where drive-throughs and gas stations can be approved. |
| CBD | Central Business District | Commercial | The downtown district, with zero setbacks, frontage-based height limits, and no parking minimums for non-residential uses. |
| I-1 | Industrial | Industrial | One of Ferndale's two industrial districts, with a 50-foot height limit and a 20-foot buffer next to residential districts. |
| I-2 | Industrial | Industrial | Ferndale's second industrial district, sharing the I-1 dimensional standards and the marihuana special land use track. |
| PUD | Planned Unit Development | Special purpose | A negotiated district where uses and standards follow the approved PUD plan rather than a fixed table. |
| WHH | Woodward Heights/Hilton Overlay | Special purpose | An overlay covering roughly the first 300 feet of frontage off Woodward Heights and Hilton, with its final extent set by the CED Director. |
Rules by topic
- Permitted usesWhat you can do by right in each zoning district.
- Special land usesUses that need special approval before they are allowed.
- SetbacksHow far buildings must sit from property lines.
- Building heightHeight limits by district, and the exceptions.
- Lot coverageHow much of a lot buildings may cover.
- Lot size and widthMinimum lot area and width requirements.
- ParkingRequired spaces, driveway rules, and surfaces.
- Accessory dwelling unitsWhether a second dwelling unit is allowed.
- Garages, sheds, and accessory structuresSize caps, setbacks, and height limits for detached structures.
- FencesHeight limits, placement, and prohibited materials.
- SignsWhat signs are allowed and where.
- Home occupationsRunning a business from a residence.
- Variances and appealsWho decides, what standard applies, and the sequence.
Common questions
- Is there a size limit on accessory buildings in Ferndale?
- How tall can an ADU be in Ferndale, and what setbacks apply?
- Do I have to live on the property to have an ADU in Ferndale?
- Does an ADU need a parking space in Ferndale?
- What are the requirements for an ADU in Ferndale?
- Are drive-throughs allowed in Ferndale?
- Are short-term rentals allowed in Ferndale?
- Can I build a duplex in Ferndale?
- Can I build a gas station in Ferndale?
- Can I build a triplex or fourplex in Ferndale?
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