Rochester Hills, MI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 138-4.430 of the Zoning Ordinance allows keeping livestock and poultry in any zoning district without a permit, as long as the animals are not raised or kept for breeding or selling as a source of income. Livestock is capped at three animals total and requires a parcel of at least two acres. Poultry is capped at 12 birds and requires at least one acre. Newborn litters are exempt from these headcount limits until they are weaned, so a litter does not push an owner over the cap while young.

The by-right allowance is not unconditional: under subsection B, the keeping of these animals must not become a nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood. If a neighbor files a written nuisance complaint with the City, the Zoning Board of Appeals must hold a hearing under the procedures of Section 138-1.203 and decide whether the animals actually constitute a nuisance. If the Board finds they do, subsection C lets it order the animals removed by a set date, or instead issue a renewable annual permit allowing the animals to stay, with or without added conditions.

Once the Board rules on a complaint, the same neighbor cannot force another hearing on the same facts unless circumstances change. Subsection D backs the whole scheme with a general nuisance ban and lets the City prosecute a violation in district court or seek an injunction in circuit court, without limiting any other City ordinance on animals.