Farmington Hills Chapter 6 Article II (Dogs and Cats) requires dogs to be under physical restraint when off the owner's property and prohibits dogs running at large. Annual dog licensing is required at four months of age or within 30 days of moving to Farmington Hills, with proof of current rabies vaccination required. Licensing is administered by Oakland County under the Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.262 et seq.) and can be obtained through DocuPet (online), Oakland County Animal Control, or the Farmington Hills Treasury counter. Fees: $55/year spayed-neutered, $65/year intact (3-year licenses also available). Field enforcement is by Oakland County Animal Control (248-858-1070) and Farmington Hills Public Safety (248-871-2610).
Farmington Hills' dog-control framework is Chapter 6 Article II (Dogs and Cats) of the Code of Ordinances, layered on top of the Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.261 - 287.290). The Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.262) requires every dog four months of age or older to be licensed annually by the county and to wear the license tag at all times. Oakland County administers the licensing program for all 47 Oakland County communities, including Farmington Hills. Under Farmington Hills Chapter 6 Article II, dogs must be physically restrained (typically by leash) when off the owner's premises; dogs running at large are subject to citation and impoundment. Chapter 6 Sec. 6-35 (Kennel license) provides that any person who possesses, keeps, or houses MORE THAN THREE (3) DOGS six months of age or older on any one property in the city is deemed to be operating a dog kennel and must obtain a kennel license under Chapter 8 of the Code in addition to individual dog licenses. Chapter 6 Article III (Dangerous Animals) provides the framework for declaring individual dogs (and other animals) potentially dangerous or dangerous, with Sec. 6-55 (Requirements for possession of a potentially dangerous animal) requiring that a potentially-dangerous-classified animal's owner begin attending and complete an animal obedience class within 75 days, with successful completion verified by a canine good citizenship certificate from a certified tester using American Kennel Club standards. Sec. 6-62 (Report of dangerous animal classification) sets the procedural framework for reporting and classifying dangerous animals. Licensing fees (set by Oakland County): $55 for a 1-year license for a spayed/neutered dog, $80 for a 3-year license for a spayed/neutered dog, $65 for a 1-year license for an intact dog, $110 for a 3-year license for an intact dog. Senior owners aged 65+ receive modest discounts. A 30-day grace period applies before late fees attach. Licensing requires proof of rabies vaccination (must show the dog owner's name and address) and, if claiming the spayed/neutered rate, proof of sterilization. Three licensing channels exist: (1) DocuPet online platform (877-239-6072) with credit card payment and customizable tags; (2) Oakland County Animal Control (248-858-1070) by appointment at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac; (3) the Farmington Hills Treasury counter at City Hall by cash or check (credit card payment carries a 2.95% + $0.50 fee). Field enforcement: Oakland County Animal Control responds to at-large, bite, welfare, and nuisance-dog calls; Farmington Hills Public Safety (248-871-2610) handles emergencies and complaint intake. Dog parks: Farmington Hills operates the Founders Sports Park Dog Park, where dogs may be off-leash inside the fenced enclosure subject to posted rules; everywhere else in Farmington Hills (including all other city parks, trails, and right-of-way) dogs must be on a leash held by a person.
Allowing a dog to run at large off the owner's property without a leash and under control is a violation of Chapter 6 Article II of the Farmington Hills Code, enforceable by Oakland County Animal Control (248-858-1070) and Farmington Hills Public Safety (248-871-2610). Failure to license a dog over four months old, or within 30 days of moving to Farmington Hills, violates Chapter 6 Article II AND MCL 287.262 (Michigan Dog Law of 1919). Keeping more than three dogs six months old or older on one property without a kennel license violates Sec. 6-35. A dog declared potentially dangerous whose owner fails to begin and complete an obedience class within 75 days violates Sec. 6-55. A dog declared dangerous under Article III violates Sec. 6-62 et seq. if not properly registered, confined, and restrained. Penalties under Sec. 1-15 (general penalty) include municipal civil infraction or misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and/or up to 90 days in jail. Impoundment fees and per-day boarding charges apply if Animal Control picks up the dog.
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