D.) A drawing or site plan showing the proposed layout of tables, chairs, railings, changes in sidewalk slope and any other obstructions to be placed or existing on the sidewalk or public right-of-way, showing not less than 4’ of unobstructed clearance to the sidewalk or public right-of-way, and showing not less than 3’ from a change in sidewalk slope. This Outdoor Sidewalk Café and Seating Plan must:

• Cover the entire area between the curb and the building, including curb line and building wall.
• Show all existing and proposed obstructions in the area, such as trees, tree grates, benches, parking meters, light posts, proposed railing location and seating plan.
• Contain a seating plan identifying each table and chair.
• Show an elevation of the railing design, including method of anchoring into the sidewalk.
• Identify all doors, windows and other openings on the building wall.
• Be dimensioned and drawn to an engineer’s scale.
• If the outdoor seating or sales area is located in a parking area below grade, include the design and specifications of the raised platform required to be installed.

Click here to download a sample sidewalk cafe drawing.

NOTICE: All textiles and plastics (such as a tent or igloo) must have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and testing results compliant with the current IFC, NFPA, and Michigan Building codes; Approval subject to review by the City of Ferndale Fire Marshal and Building Official.

A.) Outdoor Seating areas which will be serving alcohol in the Café or Outdoor Seating area the following must be attached to this application:

Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) Request for Outdoor Service. If your liquor license does not include an Outdoor Service permit you must submit a written request with diagram of proposed service area and $70 inspection fee to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. If all other licensing requirements are met, you will be issued a temporary sidewalk café license in order to obtain your MLCC Outdoor Service Permit, which must be uploaded prior to operating the outdoor seating area.

If you are enlarging your existing sidewalk café, you will need to apply to the MLCC with the Outdoor Service Application (LCC-204).

B.) For all Outdoor Seating areas on public property, please attach the following to this application:

D.) IF the proposed outdoor seating area is located along Woodward Avenue it is subject to additional requirements of the Michigan Department Of Transportation's (MDOT) Right of Way: 

Any enclosure requires a license agreement with MDOT 

• MDOT will entertain a prorated license agreement time frame and rental fee (Typical license agreements for this type of facility would roughly be $10,000/20 year license period) 
• $100 administrative fee
• A detailed plan for the enclosure is required

The requirements for the plan are the same as required by the city EXCEPT for MDOT's requirement that there be a minimum of 5' from the enclosure to any fixed object maintained at all times 

• Current insurance certificate in MDOT e-bond system 
• Letter for the City of Ferndale allowing the enclosure for the requested prorated license agreement time frame & allowing any modifications to the sidewalk required for the installation 

Required documents are available for download here.

After completing the above requirements, send a copy of documents with proposed plans to: goughs@mighigan.gov  ATTN: Stacy Gough.

A.) For Mobile Vending and Merchandise Sales applicants must answer the following questions and upload all documents noted in the application checklist. Please note Mobile Vending (food service) licenses expire March 31, 2022.

All applicants shall adhere to ordinance requirements, including:  

• Operators cannot operate between 3am and 8am.
• Licensees shall not park or station a mobile vending unit on a public street or alley, highway, or public parking space without city approval. Please contact the City Manager's Office at 248-546-2361 to apply for the reservation of municipal parking spaces. To apply does not assume approval.
• Licensees shall not block or impair vehicular or pedestrian travel.
• Vendors stations on sidewalk shall not violate the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Mobile or merchandise sales licenses are NOT permitted participation of special events without written approval by host event organization. Unauthorized vendors will be removed from the premises.

To review the City’s Mobile Vending ordinance, please review this link.

1. Copy of valid government-issued identification document with a photo of the applicant and any designated agent or person proposed to conduct mobile vending services.
2. Copy of valid State or County Food Service License, if applicable.
3. Copy of current Michigan vehicle registration(s) for each mobile vending unit.
4. Copy of valid vehicle insurance for each mobile vending unit.
5. Photograph of food truck/pushcart/kiosk (Limit: 2 photos).
6. $1,000 bond, executed by the applicant, as principal, together with surety.
7. Mobile food trucks with cooking operations must be NFPA approved and have an automatic fire-extinguisher system.
8. All mobile food vendors must be inspected by the Ferndale Fire Dept. Failure of inspection will delay or deny execution of operations. If you have any questions, please contact the Fire Marshal at 248-546-2510.
9. Commercial General Liability Insurance naming the City of Ferndale as an additional insured in an amount not less than one-million dollars ($1,000,000). Additional Insured language must agree "to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Ferndale, MI, its officials, officers, employees, and agents against any liability, claims, causes of action, judgments, or expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, resulting directly or indirectly from any act or omission of the licensee, its employees, its subcontractors and anyone for whose acts or omissions they may be liable, arising out of the licensee’s use or occupancy of the public street, highway or public parking space. It is understood and agreed that by naming the City of Ferndale, MI as additional insured, coverage afforded is considered to be primary and any other insurance the certificate holder may have in effect shall be considered secondary and/or excess.”

By signing here, I hereby declare that the information provided is true and correct. I also understand that any willful dishonesty may render for refusal of this application.