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On March 22, 2021, Ferndale City Council adopted an ordinance regulating Short Term Rentals (STRs) operating within City limits. The ordinance seeks to regulate Short Term Rentals by requiring annual registration and inspections. The STR Ordinance goes into effect on July 22, 2021, and will require all STRs to register with the City. Registration and inspection services will be completed by the Ferndale Building Department.
1. Fill out the form and submit it for review in person or by mail to:
Building Department
300 E. Nine Mile Rd.,
Ferndale, MI, 48220.
Applicants will be given the rules and regulations and a copy of the regulation ordinance when applying. Applicants must pay all arrears owed to the address to be registered.
2. Inspections are scheduled with the Building Department at 248-546-2525 Ext. 115.
3. The property is inspected by a member of the Ferndale Building Department’s inspection team. The inspector will confirm the number of safe, occupiable bedrooms and the maximum occupancy based on the square footage per the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (MRC). Inspectors will ensure all life-safety items are in place and working as required by the MRC and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), such as handrails, guardrails, smoke detectors, and operable windows.
Applications are available in person at City Hall or online.
Yes, only 5% of the available housing units on a city block can be used as an STR. A housing unit is defined as a home, condo, or apartment.
Two adults are allowed per bedroom under this ordinance. No more than eight people are permitted in a short term rental per the ordinance.
A substantiated complaint is when a property has violated the requirements of the ordinance and has been verified by City of Ferndale official. After three substantiated complaints during a calendar year, an STR will be at risk of losing their license, unable to operate for the remainder of the calendar year, and require a review by the City Manager’s Office.
Yes, please contact Assistant Building Official, Emily Loomis, at 248-336-4365 or eloomis@ferndalemi.gov.
The ordinance and building code have thresholds for occupancy and noise which can be found here. Please call the Ferndale Police non-emergency line at 248-546-2525 (Option #6) or the Granicus 24-Hour Report Line at 248-453-9776.
To report code enforcement or occupancy issues, please contact Assistant Building Official Emily Loomis at 248-336-4365 or the Granicus 24-Hour Report Line at 248-453-9776. For parking or noise complaints, call the Ferndale Police non-emergency line at (248) 541-3650. If it is an emergency call, please 911.
Yes, please send your concerns to Assistant Building Official Emily Loomis at eloomis@ferndalemi.gov or submit to the Granicus portal.
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City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
