As part of the Community Development Department’s efforts to
streamline and clarify ordinance requirements, The City of Novi
recently updated their Zoning Ordinance to include new provisions
for seasonal outdoor seating. Section 2524 was added to the Zoning
Ordinance and provides businesses the opportunity for administrative
approval of seasonal outdoor seating, subject to certain standards.
If all conditions of the ordinance and approved site plan are met,
approval for outdoor seating will be given from April 15th through
November 30th. The following outlines the basic requirements for
administrative approval of seasonal outdoor seating and the general
approval process. For further information about approval for outside
seating associated with restaurants, please contact Planner Kristen
Kapelanski in the Community Development Department at 248-347-0586.
General Ordinance Requirements for Seasonal Outdoor Seating
-
The
building/tenant space and the immediate surrounding area should be
clearly shown on the site plan.
- All proposed outdoor furniture including, but not limited to,
tables, chairs, and waste receptacles should be clearly shown on
the site plan. A note should be included on the plan indicating
the type of material the outdoor furniture is made of.
- Outdoor seating areas shall be located in a manner that
maintains a minimum pathway width of 6 feet (clear of structures)
along the sidewalk.
- Outdoor seating areas shall be enclosed in instances where
there is waitstaff or alcohol served. For additional information
on the types of enclosures allowed please see the attached
Section 2524 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Special requirements exist for outdoor seating areas located
within a public right-of-way. Right-of-way lines should be clearly
shown. For additional information please see the attached
Section 2524 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- If plans show more than 20 seats within the outdoor seating
area additional parking may be required.
- The hours of operation for outside dining areas should be
consistent with the hours of operation of the inside restaurant.
The applicant should include a note on the plans indicating the
hours of operation for the outdoor seating area.
- The plan should be sealed by a registered engineer or
architect and prepared according to the State of Michigan
Construction Code.
- If a fence or gate is proposed, egress hardware should be
clearly shown and signed and sealed gate/fence anchoring details
should be provided.
- Widths of egress should be clearly labeled.
Site Plan Review Process
There are two general steps that comprise the Site Plan Review
Process.
- The applicant should submit the following to begin the Site
Plan review process. This is a ten (10) business day review. Upon
receipt of the items listed below, the Site Plans will be
distributed for review once the one-time fee of $400 is paid to
the Community Development Department.
- Once the applicant receives all the review letters and the
Site Plan has been revised accordingly, the applicant can proceed
with Stamping Sets. The applicant should submit the following for
Stamping Set approval.
- Six (6) sets of the revised Site Plan incorporating all the
comments from the staff and consultant review letters.
- One (1) letter responding to all the comments in staff and
consultant review letters.
Special Inspection
After the Site Plan is reviewed and the Stamping Sets have been
approved, and the seating is installed, the applicant will need to
request a special inspection to insure that the seating and other
amenities are installed according to the approved Site Plan. The
special inspection requires the submittal of a $70.00 fee to allow
for the inspection to determine compliance with the approved Site
Plan.
Annual Renewal
Restaurants will have the opportunity to request an annual
special inspection for the required fee to renew their outdoor
seating arrangement. There will be no further site plan review fees
charged, provided the seating arrangement remains consistent with
the original approved Site Plan submittal.
