Can I open a bar or restaurant in downtown Ferndale?
Yes, and for most locations no special zoning approval is needed. Restaurants are permitted by right in MXD-1, MXD-2, and the CBD (Section 2.05). Bars are permitted by right in MXD-2 and the CBD but are a special land use in MXD-1, the neighborhood mixed-use district, which means Planning Commission review and final City Council approval there (Section 10.03.A). Night clubs are permitted only in the CBD.
Parking is favorable downtown. Non-residential projects in the CBD are exempt from parking minimums, and businesses with an occupancy of 30 or fewer are also exempt when the use is not a special land use (Section 7.07.B). Outside those exemptions, the Parking Manual sets restaurant parking at 1 space per 4 seats plus 1 per employee, and bars at 1 per 2 seats plus 1 per employee.
Liquor licensing is a separate city and state process. Start with CED at 248-336-4370.
Sources
Full text: Ferndale ordinance on city-hosted PDF (Municipal Code Online mirror). Applies to districts: MXD-1, MXD-2, CBD.
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