Zoning Ordinance Update

What is the Zoning Ordinance?

The Zoning Ordinance is a legal document that regulates the use of land within the City. It regulates the intensity of development with the purpose of promoting the public health, safety and general welfare of Ferndale.

Why has an update been undertaken?

Draft Zoning Ordinance - 2010
Draft Zoning Map of Proposed Changes
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The City adopted an updated Master Plan in 2008 and the Planning Commission has updated the City’s Ordinance in an effort to implement the Master Plan. The Zoning Ordinance seeks to preserve the desirable elements of Ferndale, enhance items that could be improved, and to diversify options provided to property owners.

What has been changed?

In addition to giving the document a "make-over" a number of edits were made to help achieve the vision described in the Master Plan as follows:

Allow for a more mixed-use approach by expanding the MXD zoning and creating two types of MXD Districts
Permit a greater diversity of compatible uses in zoning districts
Permit upper floor residential units in all commercial, office and mixed-use districts
Permit the development of wind energy conversion systems and solar panels
Update site design standards such as landscaping, lighting, parking and architectural design to modern standards
Clarify and update site plan, special land use, rezoning and PUD review processes
Provide for conditional rezonings
Encourage sustainable design practices

How Can You Learn More?

The entire draft Zoning Ordinance is available by clicking here. In addition, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:00pm on January 21, 2010 to hear public comment and make a recommendation to City Council

Zoning Ordinance Articles and Content

1 Title, Purpose and Scope. Describes the premises for zoning regulations
2-7 Zoning District Regulations. Schedule of uses and area, bulk and height regulations for each zoning district in the City
8 Use Regulations. Specific regulations for particular uses ranging from adult businesses to day care centers, from home businesses to vehicle dealerships
9 General Provisions. Regulations that apply to the entire City including items such as: accessory buildings, architectural compatibility and design guidelines, landscaping, screening, visibility at intersections and waste receptacles
10 Off-Street Parking and Loading. Regulations on the amount and design of parking spaces and loading areas
11 Site Plan Review. Regulations related to how plans for new development is reviewed
12 Special Land Use. Describes process and standards for uses that are considered "special land uses" and require a public hearing
13 Planned Unit Development (PUD). The qualifying conditions, requirements and review procedures for PUDs
14 Amendments. Regulations describing how to make changes to the Zoning Ordinance or Map
15 Land Division. Describes how to split parcels in the City
16 Nonconformities. Regulations for uses, buildings and structures that don’t meet current Ordinance requirements
17 Administration and Enforcement. Describes how zoning is regulated in the City and procedures for public hearings
18 Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). Rules of operation for the BZA
19 Repeal of Existing Zoning Ordinance. Nullifies the previous Zoning Ordinance
20 Definitions. Defines terms used in the Zoning Ordinance

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The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
(248) 546-2525

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