Westland, MI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- citywide ban
- Covered species
- bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, more
- Sale exception
- licensed pet shop only
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 167-A-6, 1998
Summary
Westland bans keeping any wild or exotic animal within city limits and bans their sale too, unless the seller is a pet shop licensed under Michigan's Public Act 287 of 1969.
The keeping of wild or exotic animals is prohibited in the city. The offering for sale of such animals is prohibited in the city unless by a pet shop licensed pursuant to state statute, Public Act No. 287 of 1969 (MCL 287.331 et seq.), as amended.
(Ord. No. 167-A-6, § 3, 2-17-98)
Sec. 18-5. - Keeping of horses and other equine. The keeping of horses and other equine is permitted subject to the following standards:
(1) Land use requirements. There shall be provided not less than one-half acre of land for the use of each horse or other equine, and such land shall be located no nearer to the front street line than the rear building line of any house on any lot or parcel of land, or to the rear building line of the majority of houses on any block of a street on which more than one house exists. A fence shall be erected around the entire premises provided for the outside use of any horse or other equine. Such fence shall not be less than four feet in height nor higher than six feet in height and shall be constructed of metal or wood in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
(2) Stables to conform to requirements of section. No persons owning or responsible for the custody of a horse or other equine shall, for the purpose of stabling such animal, use or occupy any building, shed or other structure which does not conform with the requirements of this section.
(3)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66).
Full Breakdown
Section 18-4A flatly prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals in the city. The chapter's definitions (§ 18-2) give the ban teeth by defining 'wild animals, exotic animals' to include badgers, bears, beavers, bobcats, lynx, coyotes, deer, elk, foxes, mink, muskrats, opossums, otters, raccoons, skunks and weasels, among others not indigenous to Michigan or not normally domestic. Sale of such animals is also prohibited unless the seller is a pet shop licensed under Michigan's Public Act 287 of 1969 (MCL 287.331 et seq.). The section was added by city ordinance in 1998 and sits alongside the separate reptile-sale rule in § 18-4.
Violations & Fines
General penalty applies (§ 1-8): fine up to $500.00 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment. Animal control may also seize and impound a wild or exotic animal found in the city under § 18-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I own a pet raccoon or fox in Westland?
Can any Westland store sell exotic animals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westland
Compare Westland to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle exotic pets.