Bolthole Index

Oakland County, Michigan

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Ferndale, Michigan

Ferndale, Michigan requires building permits for home improvements, including work homeowners perform themselves.1 Ferndale administers its own zoning and requires Building and Planning Department approval for all exterior construction and most interior work.23 For properties using onsite sewage disposal, Oakland County Health Division handles septic permits and inspections.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for home improvements, including owner-performed work1
Zoning
City zoning; dimensional standards depend on the district25
Project approval
Building and Planning approval for all exterior construction and most interior work3
Septic permits
Oakland County Health Division for onsite sewage disposal systems46
Owner-builder
Michigan own-use licensing exemption does not remove building permits71
Building permit fees
City publishes a fee schedule through the Permit Center8

Who to call

Building permits

Ferndale Building Department

Ferndale Building Department

248-336-4362

300 E. Nine Mile Rd Ferndale, Michigan 48220

Zoning

Ferndale Planning

Ferndale Planning

248-336-4370

300 E. Nine Mile Rd Ferndale, Michigan 48220

Building permits

Ferndale Permit Center

Ferndale Permit Center

Septic permits

Oakland County Health Division

Oakland County Health Division

248-858-1280

[email protected]

1200 N Telegraph Bldg. 34 East Pontiac, MI 48341

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Ferndale means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Ferndale, MI?

Ferndale requires a building permit for home improvements whether the owner performs the work or hires a contractor.1 Ferndale also requires approval from both Building and Planning for all exterior construction and most interior work, including new buildings, additions, garages, decks, pools and fences.3 Treat zoning review and building review as separate parts of the project: the city explicitly requires both approvals for those projects.3 Michigan’s owner-builder licensing exemption applies to a residential structure erected for the owner’s own use and occupancy on the owner’s property; the exemption does not eliminate building permits or inspections.7

Who issues building permits in Ferndale, and where do you apply?

The Ferndale Building Department enforces building codes and zoning ordinances and maintains construction, alteration and demolition records.9 Contact the Building Department at 248-336-4362 for building-code questions.9 Ferndale’s Permit Center directs applicants to BS&A Online to apply for a building permit, schedule an inspection and search Building Department records.10 The Permit Center also links the city fee schedule rather than giving every project the same building-permit price.8 Ask Building which application and inspections fit the proposed scope before preparing the submission.9

Does Ferndale have zoning, and how do setbacks work?

Ferndale has its own zoning code governing land use and development inside city limits.2 Ferndale’s zoning map establishes district boundaries, and setbacks depend on the applicable district.115 Street setbacks are measured from the public street or alley right-of-way line, or from the easement line of a private road; double-frontage lots must meet front-yard requirements on both street frontages.5 Ask Ferndale Planning to identify the parcel’s district and confirm the applicable lot size, dwelling size, height and coverage standards before choosing a house footprint.12 We could not confirm the numeric district standards for minimum lot or dwelling size.

How do septic permits work inside Ferndale?

For a Ferndale property using onsite sewage disposal, Oakland County Health Division issues septic permits and conducts construction and final inspections.4 A new residential septic system requires a new onsite sewage disposal system permit application; replacement, alteration or repair of an existing residential system requires the applicable repair application.6 Required inspections are listed on the septic permit, and a final before-covering inspection is required when no special inspections are noted.13 Oakland County lists a $325 new residential septic permit fee for vacant land and a $221 residential repair permit fee.14 These septic approvals are separate from Ferndale’s building and planning approvals.43

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Ferndale?

We could not confirm whether Ferndale allows residential RV occupancy, temporary camping or a tiny home used as a dwelling on a private lot. Ask Ferndale Planning about the proposed dwelling use, duration of occupancy and parcel district before buying for that purpose.12 Ferndale’s zoning code governs land use inside the city, so the absence of county-administered zoning does not settle a Ferndale occupancy question.215 A small structure or owner-built project still faces Ferndale’s building-permit requirement for home improvements and its building and planning approval process.13

Building a home in Ferndale: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Ferndale Planning to identify the zoning district and review the proposed use and setbacks.125
  2. Prepare a stamped survey: Ferndale requires one for approval of new construction, additions and renovations.3
  3. Submit the proposed work for Building and Planning approval and use the Permit Center’s building-permit application resources.310
  4. If the property will use septic, arrange the separate Oakland County septic application and inspections.613
  5. Schedule construction inspections with the enforcing agency; Michigan requires periodic inspection of construction undertaken under a building permit.16

For land outside Ferndale, consult the Oakland County guide; local zoning is administered by the relevant city, village or township.17

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Ferndale’s general new-home water and sewer connection requirements or whether private wells and off-grid sanitation are allowed; ask Ferndale Building and Planning before buying for those uses.912
  • Ferndale’s business Certificate of Occupancy guidance concerns opening a business; do not use that business process as the residential approval checklist.18
  • Building a home yourself does not remove Ferndale’s building-permit requirement.1

Sources

  1. Building Services (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Ferndale Zoning Code (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning and Zoning (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Ferndale Zoning Code (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  6. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions – Residential Builder (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Permit Center (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  9. Ferndale Building Department (ferndalemi.gov)
  10. Ferndale Permit Center (ferndalemi.gov)
  11. City of Ferndale Zoning Code (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked
  12. Ferndale Planning (ferndalemi.gov)
  13. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic), quoted and re-checked
  14. Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) — applications and fees, quoted and re-checked
  15. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  16. MCL 125.1512, Inspection of construction (Michigan statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Local Community Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning and Zoning (Ferndale), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Ferndale

Ferndale’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Home improvements and building work inside Ferndale city limits.

    • The City states the permit requirement applies whether the owner performs the work or uses a contractor, architect, or construction worker.
    “Building: Permit required whether you plan on making home improvements yourself or with the help of a contractor, architect, or construction worker.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Mechanical-system installation in Ferndale city limits.

    • The applicant must obtain the required inspection after installation is completed and the equipment is placed in operation.
    “The applicant shall apply for and secure the required permits from the Community and Economic Development Department and shall obtain the required inspection after the installation is completed and the equipment is placed in operation.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Opening a business in Ferndale city limits after zoning determination approval.

    • A Zoning Determination Request must be completed before leasing or purchase.
    • The Certificate of Occupancy process follows Zoning Determination approval.
    “Following ZDR Approval, the applicant may proceed directly to the Certificate of Occupancy process through the Permit Center. A Certificate of Occupancy is necessary prior to opening any business in the City”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Ferndale city limits.

    • The City of Ferndale Zoning Code governs land use and development within the city.
    • The Code was adopted by Ordinance 1291 on December 16, 2024 and amended by Ordinance 1298 on June 23, 2025.
    “This Code establishes comprehensive zoning regulations for the City of Ferndale (“City”) and provides for the administration, enforcement, and amendment of those regulations, in accordance with the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (PA 110 of 2006), as amended, and the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (PA 33 of 2008), as amended.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and map inside Ferndale city limits.

    • The Code identifies R-1, R-2, MXD-1, MXD-2, CBD, I-1, I-2, PUD, and the WHH overlay.
    • District boundaries are established by the City's Zoning Map.
    “The boundaries of the City’s zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the Zoning Map.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings and yards in Ferndale zoning districts, including R-1 and R-2 residential districts.

    • Setbacks are governed by the applicable zoning district.
    • Street setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line of a public street or alley or the easement line of a private road.
    • Double-frontage lots apply front-yard requirements to both street frontages.
    • Corner-lot yard treatment follows the Code's principal-frontage and rear-yard rules.
    “The following dimensional standards apply to each zoning district:”
  • Permit feesPublished

    City permit, license, and registration fees inside Ferndale city limits.

    • The City page links to the current FYE27 fee schedule.
    “The City fee schedule displays all permit, license, and registration fees established by authority of the City of Ferndale Code of Ordinances.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential and development approvals inside Ferndale city limits.

    • Approval from the Building and Planning Departments is needed for all exterior construction and most interior work.
    • New construction, additions, renovations, garages, decks, pools, fences, signs, and other listed projects require approval.
    • A stamped survey is required for all new construction, extensions/additions, and renovations.
    • Site-plan packages are submitted to the CED Department for review; plans may be approved by Planning Staff or forwarded to the Planning Commission.
    “Approval from the Building and Planning Departments is needed for all exterior construction and most interior work.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Ferndale or Oakland County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from otherwise applicable construction requirements inside Ferndale city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Ferndale zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Ferndale zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Ferndale zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building height in Ferndale zoning districts.
12 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Ferndale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Oakland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Oakland County: county rules, score and offices