Royal Oak, MI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Chapter 195, Article I, first adopted in 1919 and last amended 1-24-2005, targets only chickens and fowl running at large: § 195-1 makes it unlawful to permit any chickens or other fowl owned or controlled by a person to run at large within the City, with a fine of up to $25, or up to 60 days in the county jail if unpaid, under § 195-2. The code does not require a separate permit to keep chickens confined on one's own property, and § 484-13 separately bars keeping any animal, bird or bee that annoys the neighborhood through noise, unsanitary pens, or failure to keep it confined on the owner's premises.

Larger livestock is treated differently: § 484-14 requires anyone keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs or similar animals to first obtain a permit from the City Clerk, on an application describing the location and keeping conditions, which the Clerk may grant only after the Chief Inspector investigates and finds the animals are not likely to create a public nuisance; the City Manager or Chief Inspector can order removal within seven days if a nuisance later develops, and may summarily remove the animals if the owner does not comply.

Section 484-14B further requires any stable, coop or hutch to have a concrete floor draining to an approved sump, be flushed daily, and be fully screened against insects. Royal Oak's zoning code reinforces this framework: § 770-56G bars keeping chickens, pigs, goats, bees and other animal husbandry as part of a domestic, community or market garden except as allowed under Chapter 195.