SERVICES:
Liquor Licenses
The State of Michigan requires that any establishment that sells liquor must acquire licensing through the MLCC that authorizes the establishment to sell liquor. Any establishment in the City of Ferndale that sells liquor to be consumed on-site must receive local government approval.
Zoning Determination Request
Prior to requesting approval from the City of Ferndale, it is highly recommended that all applicants complete a Zoning Determination Request (ZDR) with the Ferndale Community & Economic Development Department. This process will help the applicant determine the feasibility of opening a liquor-selling establishment in their desired location.
CONTACT
City Clerk
300 E Nine Mile Rd. Ferndale, MI 48220
248-546-2381 ext. 107
dlent@ferndalemi.gov
Application Process
All new Class C liquor licenses and new Development District Liquor Licenses in the City of Ferndale must be approved by the Ferndale City Council. As part of that approval process, the individual looking to obtain approval must submit an application to the City Clerk’s Office and pay the $500 associated fee. The application will be reviewed by the Liquor License Review Board, which consists of representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Community and Economic Development Department, Department of Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department, Downtown Development Authority (if the license falls within the DDA District), and one member of City Council. The City Attorney and a representative from the City Clerk’s Office will also be present. The Liquor License Review Board meeting must occur during an open meeting where a quorum of its members must be present. It is highly recommended that the applicant attends the meeting to answer any questions and provide clarification, when needed. In most cases, the board will make a recommendation to the City Council to approve or deny the request.
If the proposed location for the liquor license lies within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), members of the DDA may choose to review the application at the next regularly scheduled DDA meeting (note: the DDA meets regularly once a month). Should the DDA choose to review the application, a minimum of fifteen (15) days must lapse before their report is formally presented during a public hearing at a regularly-schedule City Council meeting.
Once the Liquor License Review Board has made a recommendation, and the DDA has reviewed the application (if appliable), the public hearing date will then be scheduled during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Enough time must lapse so that the City Clerk’s Office can notify all residents within 300 feet of the establishment, as well as all existing Class C license holders within the City of Ferndale.
Additional Resources
- 2018 Resolution Regarding Approval of New and Transfers of On- Premises Licenses
- MLCC Common Alcohol Related Licenses
- MLCC Class C Licensing Requirements & General Information
- MLCC- New On-Premises Redevelopment (RDA) License – MCL 436.1521a(1)(a) Requirements & General Information
- MLCC- New On-Premises Development District (DDA) License – MCL 436.1521a(1)(b) Requirements & General Information
FAQs
Please explore the dropdown tabs below, where you will find FAQs regarding information and services from the City Clerk’s Office. For additional questions, not covered on this page, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 248-546-2381 ext. 107.
No. The City of Ferndale does not own any liquor licenses, and therefore, cannot provide a business or applicant with a license. All individuals interested in obtaining a liquor license should first visit the Michigan Liquor Control Commission’s website or obtain the license through an existing license holder.
The Development District liquor license is intended for businesses that would like to serve liquor and other alcoholic beverages within the Downtown Development District (managed by the Downtown Development Authority). Applicants must meet certain Michigan Liquor License Control Commission requirements, and the license can never be transferred to another location. If an entity goes out of business, the license is surrendered to the MLCC and terminated. Individuals interested in obtaining a Development District Liquor License should reach out to the MLCC to begin the process. As part of that process, local government approval will be required. All new Development District Liquor License applicants must complete an application for the City of Ferndale. Applications will be reviewed by the Liquor License Review Board and a recommendation to approve or deny the license will be made to City Council. Furthermore, the Downtown Development Authority will have the option to review the application and provide a report to the City Council.
A Class C liquor license allows bars and restaurants to sell spirits, mixed sprit drinks, wine, and beer on-site to customers. Traditional Class C liquor licenses can be purchased and transferred by other businesses/entities within Oakland County and may be relocated from one establishment to another establishment within the County. The City of Ferndale requires all Class C liquor licenses transferred into Ferndale, or transferred from different establishments within Ferndale, to receive review from the Liquor License Review Board and approval from the City Council. If the establishment falls within the Downtown Development Authority, the DDA will have the option to review the application and provide a report to the City Council. To search for active and escrowed liquor licenses in the State of Michigan, visit the MLCC’s Search Active/Escrowed Licensees webpage.
No. Visit the MLCC’s Brief Description of All Michigan Liquor Licenses and Permits By Licensing Tiers webpage to determine what type of license is required for your needs.
If the establishment is not changing locations, and the previous owner has successfully transferred the liquor license into the new owner’s name, and has met all MLCC requirements, the new owner does not need to apply for local government approval.