Livonia, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Livonia Code § 8.24.050
- Scope
- Wild animals, snakes, birds, bees on any premises
- Standard
- Inherently dangerous, hazardous or nuisance when unconfined
- Only exception
- Bees in designated educational park areas
- Amended
- Ord. No. 3207, June 17, 2024
- Default penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 90 days jail
Summary
Livonia outlaws keeping any wild animal, snake or bird on a property in the city if the creature is inherently dangerous, hazardous or a nuisance when unconfined. The nuisance chapter's flat prohibition allows no permit or exception except for bees kept in specific city park areas approved for education.
It is unlawful to keep, harbor, possess, or keep in confinement on any premises within the City of Livonia, any wild animals, snakes, birds, bees, or creatures the nature of which, inherently when not confined, constitutes a danger, hazard, or nuisance to public health, safety, and comfort. The prohibition on possession of bees shall not include possession of bees in specified areas of park property under the control and management of the parks and recreation commission and designated and approved for educational and other park purposes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
050 of the nuisance chapter makes it unlawful to keep, harbor, possess or confine on any Livonia premises any wild animal, snake, bird, bee or other creature whose nature, when unconfined, constitutes a danger, hazard or nuisance to public health, safety and comfort. The city amended this section as recently as June 17, 2024 under Ordinance No. 3207, carving out one narrow exception: bees kept in specified areas of park property that the parks and recreation commission designates and approves for educational and other park purposes.
010's broad nuisance definition. 020 makes it unlawful for any property owner or occupant to allow a nuisance to exist on premises they control, reinforcing that a resident cannot simply argue the wild animal is confined on private land. 090 gives the city power to abate a nuisance once it exists, in addition to any criminal penalty. Livonia's animal control code sits outside its Zoning Ordinance entirely; this is a general-nuisance prohibition enforceable citywide regardless of the zoning district a property sits in.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 8.24 carries no dedicated fine for keeping a prohibited wild animal, so the citywide default penalty in Section 1.12.010 governs: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, at the discretion of the court, in addition to any nuisance abatement the city undertakes under Section 8.24.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic snake in my Livonia home?
Are backyard beehives legal in Livonia?
What counts as a prohibited wild animal under Livonia's code?
What happens if someone is caught keeping a banned wild animal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Livonia
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle exotic pets.