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 July 3, 2026.
Zoning districts
- R-1Residential
Residential
Ferndale's base residential district, with one- and two-unit homes by right on lots as small as 4,000 square feet.
- R-2Residential
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-1Mixed use
Neighborhood Mixed-Use
Neighborhood-scale mixed use, pairing housing of all sizes with shops, restaurants, and services.
- MXD-2Mixed use
Corridor Mixed-Use
A more intense mixed-use corridor district, and the only district where drive-throughs and gas stations can be approved.
- CBDCommercial
Central Business District
The downtown district, with zero setbacks, frontage-based height limits, and no parking minimums for non-residential uses.
- I-1Industrial
Industrial
One of Ferndale's two industrial districts, with a 50-foot height limit and a 20-foot buffer next to residential districts.
- I-2Industrial
Industrial
Ferndale's second industrial district, sharing the I-1 dimensional standards and the marihuana special land use track.
- PUDSpecial purpose
Planned Unit Development
A negotiated district where uses and standards follow the approved PUD plan rather than a fixed table.
- WHHSpecial purpose
Woodward Heights/Hilton Overlay
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?
Get alerted when Ferndale zoning rules change
$49/month. An email when a human-reviewed rule change is published for Ferndale — with the citation, the date, and a link to the updated page. Quiet months get a short note confirming we checked. Cancel any time.
Alerts come only from reviewed changes, never from raw ordinance-site noise. Billing via Stripe; unsubscribe and cancellation links in every email.
Get the full picture for your property
Enter an address. We identify the zoning district and assemble what the ordinance says about it: permitted uses, dimensional rules, accessory structures, and the approval process.
District identification is free. The full brief is $79.