Detroit, MI Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Household limit
- 2 animals per species, age 4mo+
- Cat license required
- No: only dogs are licensed
- Governing section
- Detroit City Code § 6-2-1(d)
- At-large impoundment
- Authorized under § 6-1-9(a)
- Max penalty
- $500 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
Detroit limits any residence to two animals of the same species over four months old, covering cats, and unlike dogs, cats carry no city license requirement; a loose cat can still be impounded by Animal Care and Control.
No person shall own, harbor, keep, or shelter more than two animals of the same species over the age of four months in a single residence. Animals shall be properly licensed and registered on the effective date of the ordinance that amended this section, which is September 27, 2020. New licenses shall not be issued for animals over the limit of two upon death or rehoming of animals formerly licensed at that residence.(e)No person shall overcrowd rabbits, domestic fowl, poultry, or any other animals in any crate, box, or other receptacle.(f)Whether or not authorized by Section 53 of Chapter IX of the Michigan Penal Code, Animals, being MCL 750.53, the Animal Care and Control Division is authorized to impound any animal which:(1)Appears to have been neglected or cruelly treated, including, but not limited to, actions prohibited in Sections 49 through 51 of Chapter IX of the Michigan Penal Code, Animals, being MCL 750.49 through 750.51; or(2)Appears to have been abandoned. (Code 1984, §§ 6-1-11, 6-2-1, 6-4-1; Ord. No. 04-04, § 1(6-1-11, 6-4-1), eff. 2-17-2004; Ord. No. 06-17, § 1(6-2-1), eff. 4-20-2017; Ord. No. 2020-5, § 1, eff. 9-27-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit's animal code caps any single residence at two animals of the same species over four months old, so a third household cat is a violation even if well cared for (Detroit City Code § 6-2-1(d)). Unlike dogs, cats have no city licensing requirement: the license article (§ 6-5-1 et seq.) applies to dogs only. A cat found stray, loose, or at large may still be impounded by the Animal Care and Control Division under § 6-1-9(a) and returned to its owner, if known, with a citation, or held at the Animal Control Shelter.
Violations & Fines
Keeping more than two cats per residence, like any chapter violation, is a misdemeanor: courts may impose up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail for each separate ordinance violation issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Detroit require a license for pet cats?
How many cats can I legally keep in Detroit?
What happens if my cat gets loose in Detroit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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Cat Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle cat rules.