Southfield, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Southfield's exotic-pet ban runs through two linked sections of Chapter 113. Code § 9.63 defines a "dangerous animal" to include any wild or exotic animal that is naturally tame or gentle but is of a wild nature of disposition, and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristic, would constitute a danger to persons or property; it also covers wild mammals, reptiles or fowl that are not naturally tame. The definition then names an extensive, non-exclusive list: poisonous animals, reptiles and insects, alligators, apes and other primates, bears, bison, buffalo, bobcats, cheetahs, crocodilians, coyotes, deer, elephants, foxes, fighting game cocks, hyenas, big cats such as jaguars, leopards, lions, lynxes and tigers, ostriches, cougars and panthers, rhinoceroses, sharks, wolves and "wolf hybrids," and emus, among others.

Code § 9.70 then makes it unlawful to harbor or keep an exotic, wild or otherwise dangerous animal as defined in section 9.63, including animals not native to Michigan or that, regardless of geographic region, are of a wild or predatory nature. The ban applies whether or not the animal was legally acquired elsewhere or is kept indoors; there is no permit, zoo license or exhibitor exception written into this section for private ownership within city limits. A violation is a misdemeanor carrying up to ninety days in jail, a $500 fine, or both, and the animal control officer can impound an animal that meets the dangerous-animal definition under § 9.71.