Detroit's 2024 Animal Husbandry Ordinance, effective February 2025, amended Chapter 6 and Chapter 50 (Zoning) to allow residential keeping of up to eight chickens and ducks (no roosters) on licensed properties. Other traditional livestock such as roosters, pigs, horses, goats, and cows remain prohibited.
Detroit City Council adopted the Animal Husbandry Ordinance on a 5-3 vote in November 2024; rules took effect February 2025 with companion Chapter 50 amendments. Residential properties may keep up to eight chickens or ducks total; urban gardens and farms may keep up to twelve depending on lot size. Roosters are not permitted. Coops and runs must sit at least 30 feet from any neighboring dwelling and 5 feet from any property line. Shelters must be enclosed, ventilated, and kept clean. The ordinance also requires vermin-resistant feed storage, manure removal, leg-tagging, and licensed-facility slaughter. Owners must obtain an animal-keeping license from Detroit Animal Care and Control before bringing birds on-site.
Keeping chickens or ducks without the required license, exceeding flock limits, keeping a rooster, or failing setback or sanitation standards violates Chapter 6 and is enforced by DACC. Citations may include fines, license revocation, and orders to remove animals.
Detroit, MI
Detroit's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict the number, size, or style of residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Re...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no specific ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, Santas). Restrictions, if any, come from priva...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no citywide ordinance restricting the time of year, brightness, or duration of residential holiday lights. Restrictions arise mainly from Local H...
Detroit, MI
A built-in outdoor kitchen in Detroit requires separate trade permits from BSEED for any gas line, electrical, or plumbing work, plus a building permit if it...
Detroit, MI
Detroit has no ordinance specifically regulating residential offset smokers or pellet grills. The City's nuisance and air-quality provisions (Detroit Code Ch...
Detroit, MI
Detroit follows the International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted by Michigan. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame and charcoal cooking on combustible balcon...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Wayne County.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle chickens & livestock.
See how Detroit's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.