Ferndale Building Department 2026: Permits, Fees & Inspections

Ferndale Building Permits, Inspections & City Services

Ferndale Building Department Contact Information

The City’s building functions sit within Community & Economic Development (CED). Ferndale’s public contact pages currently show several numbers for different building-related functions, so using the right one can save a call transfer.

Office location: 300 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220. City Hall’s published hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Open the official City contact directory if you need to confirm which staff member handles a particular project.

What Work Needs a Ferndale Permit?

Ferndale’s Building Services page states that a building permit is required for home improvements whether the work is performed by the homeowner or by a contractor. The City’s current permit application specifically includes new construction, additions, alterations, demolition, foundations, decks and porches, roofs, and new garages or sheds.

How to Apply for a Ferndale Building Permit

You do not need to search through unrelated websites. Ferndale’s current workflow starts with the City Permit Center and its BS&A portal.

What to Have Ready Before Applying

Incomplete permit applications often cause avoidable back-and-forth. Based on Ferndale’s current forms, prepare the following before you begin:

• Exact job-site address.
• Property owner or lessee information.
• Contractor name and contact details when applicable.
• Michigan builder or trade-license information where required.
• Estimated construction cost or project value.
• Clear description of all work being performed.
• Lot size and proposed building dimensions for projects affecting the site.
• Site plan where setbacks, parking, lot coverage or accessory structures are involved.
• Construction drawings and structural details when the project requires plan review.
• Electrical, mechanical, plumbing or energy documentation where the scope includes those systems.
• Homeowner affidavit if you qualify and intend to perform regulated work yourself.

Ferndale Building Permit Fees for FYE 2027

Ferndale publishes an official FYE27 City Fee Schedule dated July 2026. Because fees can change annually, the figures below are useful for estimating a project but the final amount is determined by the City.

The schedule also states that permit administration and plan-review fees receive no refund. A building-permit fee may receive a 50% refund when the applicable refund is more than $100.

View the official FYE27 City Fee Schedule.

How to Schedule a Ferndale Building Inspection

Ferndale provides online inspection scheduling through BS&A. Contractors need a login for online inspection requests.

1. Open the City’s official inspection page.
2. Select the BS&A inspection link.
3. Sign in if required.
4. Enter or select the permit number connected to your account.
5. Select the required inspection type.
6. Choose an available date shown in the inspector’s calendar.
7. Add contact information and attach any requested documents.
8. Submit the request and watch for the confirmation email.

Ferndale’s mechanical and plumbing permit forms say the property address, permit number and requested inspection type are needed when requesting an inspection.

The City’s trade forms also state that a mechanical or plumbing permit remains valid while work is progressing and inspections are being requested, but becomes invalid if the authorized work does not complete a final inspection within one year from issuance.

Search Existing Ferndale Permits and Inspection Records

Before buying a property, finishing an older renovation, hiring a contractor or assuming a prior project was closed, search the existing building record.

1. Open Ferndale BS&A Online.
2. Choose Building Department Record Search.
3. Search using the available property or record information.
4. Review permits, record status, available inspection information and outstanding items.
5. If an old record is unclear, contact the Building Department rather than assuming it is closed.

BS&A also provides a rental-property search and permit-fee payment service for Ferndale.

Can a Ferndale Homeowner Pull Their Own Permit?

Yes, but the City’s homeowner affidavit places important conditions on that option.

The affidavit is written for the bona fide owner of a single-family residence that is—or will become—the owner’s residence and is not being used for rental or commercial purposes. The owner certifies that they will reside there for at least six months after the work is completed.

By signing it, the homeowner also accepts responsibility normally carried by a licensed contractor. The affidavit states that the homeowner will not subcontract work covered by the homeowner permit to another person or company.

Inspection responsibilities for homeowner permits

• Notify the applicable City department within 72 hours after the work is complete and ready for inspection.
• Keep regulated work exposed until it has been accepted.
• Correct cited violations within two weeks.
• Provide access for inspections during the periods specified by the City.

Read the official Ferndale Homeowner Affidavit before deciding to act as your own permit holder.

Check Zoning Before Spending Money on Plans

A building permit confirms construction-code approval; it does not make an otherwise prohibited land use or site layout legal. Ferndale’s Community & Economic Development Department also administers zoning.

For a business, the City recommends completing a Zoning Determination Request before leasing or purchasing a site. The review determines whether the proposed use is permitted and whether special approvals are required.

Residential site details that commonly matter

The current zoning code contains specific standards for driveways, parking and accessory structures. Examples include:

• Front-yard circular or horseshoe driveways are prohibited.
• One curb cut and approach is generally permitted per street frontage.
• A minimum one-foot lawn or landscape strip is required between a residential parking area and lot lines.
• Where no garage or carport exists, residential parking areas generally cannot occupy more than 50% of the total front yard.
• Accessory structures such as detached garages and sheds are subject to setback and height standards that vary by property and structure type.

Michigan Construction Codes Used in 2026

Ferndale administers local permits, but many technical construction requirements come from Michigan’s statewide construction-code system. Michigan LARA currently lists the following code editions:

Michigan’s planned residential-code update was affected by a July 7, 2025 court order. LARA states that while the order remains in place, the 2015 residential provisions remain valid and in effect. Because rulemaking can change, verify the current edition when preparing new plans.

Check Michigan LARA’s current construction-code list.

Commercial Projects, Change of Use & Certificate of Occupancy

If you are opening a business, changing the use of a building or taking over a commercial space, do not treat the building permit as the only approval.

Ferndale’s Planning & Zoning guidance recommends determining whether the proposed use is allowed at the property first. After zoning determination approval, an applicant may move into the Certificate of Occupancy process through the Permit Center. The City states that a Certificate of Occupancy is required before opening a business.

Ferndale’s FYE27 fee schedule lists the combined Certificate of Occupancy + Business Registration fee at $300.

The City’s Certificate of Occupancy inspection form shows that a review may involve building, plumbing/mechanical, electrical, fire, police and building-official functions depending on the property and request.

Nearby Oakland County Permit Jurisdictions Are Separate

A Ferndale mailing address or an Oakland County location does not mean another municipality’s building office can issue your permit. If the property is outside Ferndale city limits, use the office responsible for that specific jurisdiction. For nearby examples, see our guides to the Birmingham, Michigan Building Department, Bloomfield Hills Building Department, and Commerce Township Building Department.

Ferndale Building Department FAQs

Before You Start Work

The safest order is simple: confirm that the property is inside Ferndale, check zoning, identify every permit needed, prepare complete plans, submit through the official system, wait for permit issuance, request inspections at the required stages and do not cover work before approval.

For a straightforward project, begin with the Ferndale Permit Center. For an existing permit or property history, go directly to Ferndale BS&A Online. Those two official resources handle most of the final actions a homeowner, contractor or property buyer will need.

Information checked against current City of Ferndale and Michigan LARA resources for 2026. Fees, staff contacts, adopted codes and application procedures can change; use the linked official service for the final transaction or current project-specific determination.