Detroit, MI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Detroit City Code § 6-1-5 makes it unlawful to own, harbor, keep, maintain, sell, or transfer any farm animal or wild animal on private premises or in a public place anywhere in the city. Farm animal is defined broadly to include cows, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas, mules, ponies, poultry, sheep, and swine. The only exceptions are circuses, zoos, laboratories, and approved non-profits with a trained animal attendant, and separately, urban farms permitted under Article VIII of chapter 6. The Animal Care and Control Division enforces the ban and may sell, transfer, euthanize, or otherwise dispose of any animal kept in violation.