Ottawa County does not zone, so whether you may keep chickens or livestock is set by your city or township. Michigan's Right to Farm Act preempts local rules only for commercial farms following GAAMPs, not backyard flocks in residential zones.
Michigan counties generally do not zone; cities, villages, and townships regulate animal-keeping through their own zoning ordinances under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MCL 125.3201). The Right to Farm Act preempts conflicting local rules for commercial farm operations that follow Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices, but 2014 Site-Selection GAAMP changes removed protection for animals in primarily-residential (Category 4) areas. So in residential Holland, Hudsonville, or Zeeland neighborhoods, backyard chickens follow local zoning, which may restrict or prohibit them.
Zoning penalties are set by the city or township (municipal civil infraction with daily fines). Right to Farm compliance disputes are handled by MDARD.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Ottawa County, MI
Backyard composting is allowed and actively encouraged in Ottawa County, which runs home and food-scrap composting programs. No county permit is needed for a...
Ottawa County, MI
Ottawa County sets no rule on artificial turf, and it does not zone. Whether synthetic lawn is allowed depends on your city or township zoning, and often on ...
Ottawa County, MI
Native and natural landscaping is allowed. Ottawa County does not zone, so rules come from your city or township. Holland Charter Township exempts undevelope...
Ottawa County, MI
Michigan places no statewide restriction on collecting rainwater, and Ottawa County has no rule against it. Residents may harvest rooftop rainwater in barrel...
Ottawa County, MI
There is no county-wide watering ban. Restrictions come from your water supplier. Communities on the City of Wyoming water system, including Holland, Georget...
Ottawa County, MI
Ottawa County does not enforce a general weed ordinance; cities and townships do. Holland Charter Township's Property Maintenance Code (IPMC 302.4) keeps pre...
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