Setbacks in Ferndale, MI

There is no minimum lot size in the CBD. Front: 0 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum. Sides and rear: 0 feet. New buildings need a second occupiable floor; small expansions are exempt (Section 2.11).

Front: 15 feet minimum, but the contextual rule controls on built-out blocks. Where 50 percent or more of the block frontage is built, the front setback must fall within 5 feet, plus or minus, of the average setback of the five adjacent lots in each direction, dropping the greatest and least values (Section 2.06 footnote D). The average controls in both directions, so on some blocks the required setback is below 15 feet.

Sides: 5 feet each. Rear: 30 feet for a one-unit dwelling, 20 feet for two- to four-unit and multiple-unit dwellings (Section 2.06).

Front: 15 feet minimum, but the contextual rule controls on built-out blocks. Where 50 percent or more of the block frontage is built, the front setback must fall within 5 feet, plus or minus, of the average setback of the five adjacent lots in each direction, dropping the greatest and least values (Section 2.06 footnote D). The average controls in both directions, so on some blocks the required setback is below 15 feet.

Sides: 5 feet each. Rear: 30 feet for a one-unit dwelling, 20 feet for two- to four-unit and multiple-unit dwellings (Section 2.06).

Lot: at least 4,000 square feet and 50 feet of width. Front: 15 feet minimum and 20 feet maximum; the CED Director may allow up to 30 feet for accessible paths or outdoor dining. Sides: 0 feet. Rear: 0 feet, rising to 20 feet adjacent to residential and 30 feet for a one-unit dwelling (Section 2.09).

Note: the Section 2.06 table does not fully agree, listing 5 foot side setbacks and 20 to 30 foot rear setbacks for one- to four-unit dwellings in MXD-1. For a small residential building here, confirm which table controls with the city.

Lot: at least 10,000 square feet and 100 feet of width. Front: 0 feet minimum and 10 feet maximum. Sides: 0 feet, except 5 feet for two- to four-unit residential buildings. Rear: 0 feet. A commercial building must have a street-fronting door kept open during business hours (Section 2.10).

Lot: at least 10,000 square feet and 100 feet of width. Front: 0 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum. Sides and rear: 0 feet, but 20 feet wherever the lot is adjacent to R-1 or R-2 (Section 2.12).

Lot: at least 10,000 square feet and 100 feet of width. Front: 0 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum. Sides and rear: 0 feet, but 20 feet wherever the lot is adjacent to R-1 or R-2 (Section 2.12).