City Services > Community Development

Seasonal Outdoor Seating Application for Approval Seasonal Outdoor Seating Site Plan Checklist

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.

1. 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.
   • Six (6) sets of the Site Plan showing the existing building and surrounding features and all proposed seating amenities. If additional lighting is proposed a photometric plan will be required. A demolition plan is required if there are any proposed changes to the existing curbline.
   • One (1) completed Seasonal Outdoor Seating Application for Approval and one (1) completed Seasonal Outdoor Seating Site Plan Checklist.
2. 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.