Shelby, MI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum lot for 4 hens
- 6,000 square feet
- Poultry per acre
- Up to 15 female, 1 male
- Livestock density
- 1 animal per 2 acres, then 1/acre
- Rabbit limit
- Four per premises
- Coop coverage cap
- 50% of rear yard
Summary
Village of Shelby allows backyard poultry on a sliding scale tied to lot size, from four female birds on a 6,000-square-foot parcel up to fifteen per acre, while livestock requires a minimum two acres per animal under § 100-15.
A minimum of two acres shall be required to keep one livestock animal on any premises within the Village. For each additional one acre beyond the initial two acres, one additional livestock animal may be kept. ... Up to four female poultry may be kept on a tax parcel having at least 6,000 square feet. Up to eight female poultry may be kept on a tax parcel parcels over 10,000 square feet. Up to fifteen female poultry may be kept for every one acre of a tax parcel. Up to one male poultry may be kept for every one acre of a tax parcel.
Full Breakdown
Section 100-15(A) sets the livestock threshold: 'A minimum of two acres shall be required to keep one livestock animal on any premises within the Village. For each additional one acre beyond the initial two acres, one additional livestock animal may be kept,' and all livestock must comply with the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs). Poultry gets its own sliding scale in § 100-15(E)(1): up to four female poultry on a tax parcel of at least 6,000 square feet, up to eight female poultry on a parcel over 10,000 square feet, up to fifteen female poultry per acre, and up to one male poultry per acre.
Chickens must be kept in a coop inside a fenced or covered enclosure that meets the village's zoning setbacks, covers no more than 50% of the rear yard, and is built under a development permit approved by the planning department, per § 100-15(E)(2). The enclosure must also include a secured feeding container, since § 100-15(E)(3) prohibits ground feeding and requires unused feed to be sealed away from other animals. Rabbits are capped at four per premises, kept in a pen at least 25 feet from any dwelling, under § 100-15(B).
Section 100-15(D) carves out an exception letting an accredited, nonprofit educational institution such as a Shelby Public Schools building keep a limited number of livestock, poultry or other animals for coursework once the planning commission approves a site plan, provided the animals stay at least 25 feet from any dwelling and do not become a nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Violating the acreage, coop, setback or feeding requirements in § 100-15 is a municipal civil infraction under § 100-15(F)(2). Beyond a citation, § 100-15(G) lets the Village go to circuit court to restrain, correct or abate the violation, recover its enforcement expenses and inspection fees, and place a lien on the property, which has priority over most other liens and can be added to the tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep on a typical village lot?
Do I need a permit for a chicken coop in Shelby Village?
Can I keep a horse or cow in Shelby Village?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shelby
How Shelby compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Shelby to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.