Farmington Hills, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Farmington Hills' exotic pet framework is the local Chapter 6 Article III (Dangerous Animals) layered on Michigan's state-level Large Carnivore Act and Animal Industry Act. LOCAL LAYER: Chapter 6 Article III gives the City the authority to classify any animal (not limited to dogs) as 'potentially dangerous' (Sec. 6-55) or 'dangerous' (Sec. 6-62) and impose registration, enclosure, muzzle / restraint, signage, and obedience-class requirements (where applicable). Sec. 6-55 requires the owner of any 'potentially dangerous' animal to begin attending and complete an obedience class within 75 days; for non-dog animals where AKC-style certification is not feasible, the City's Animal Control authority and the Chief of Police have discretion to impose alternative conditions. STATE LAYERS: (1) Michigan Large Carnivore Act (MCL 287.1101 - 287.1123, Act 274 of 2000) BANS acquisition or possession of a 'large carnivore' - any lion, leopard, jaguar, tiger, cougar, panther, cheetah, hybrid of these animals (including hybrids with domestic cats), or any bear - in Michigan. The Act took effect April 1, 2000, and grandfathered owners who already possessed large carnivores under strict conditions: registration with MDARD within 90 days of the effective date, $250,000 liability insurance per animal, microchip implant, secure non-tethered enclosure with locked entrance, prohibited breeding, and a prohibition on transferring the animal except by inheritance. Once the grandfathered animal dies it cannot be replaced. As of 2026, virtually no grandfathered large carnivores remain in private hands in Michigan. (2) Animal Industry Act (MCL 287.701 et seq.) regulates possession of livestock and certain exotic species and authorizes MDARD to require permits for movement and importation. (3) MCL 287.1002 (Wolf-Dog Cross Act, Act 246 of 2000) places restrictions on possession of wolf-dog hybrids, requiring registration, secure enclosure, and notification of authorities. (4) Federal Endangered Species Act and CITES restrictions apply to many exotic species. (5) Native wildlife (white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoon, opossum, fox, etc.) cannot lawfully be kept as pets without a DNR permit under Wildlife Conservation Order. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In Farmington Hills, common exotic-pet questions involve venomous reptiles, primates, large constrictors, wolf-hybrids, and large parrots. Venomous reptiles and large constrictors are not specifically banned by Farmington Hills Code but may be classified as 'dangerous animals' under Sec. 6-62 upon individual review. Primates are not banned by Michigan state law (they are not 'large carnivores') but federal Captive Primate Safety Act (2023) restricts interstate transfer for the pet trade. Wolf-hybrids are regulated by MCL 287.1002 (Wolf-Dog Cross Act) and locally by Article III as dangerous animals. Residents considering any exotic pet should consult Oakland County Animal Control (248-858-1070), the Farmington Hills Planning Department, and MDARD before acquisition.