Oakland County does not zone livestock at the county level — each township or city controls horses, cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep through its zoning code. The county does enforce the statewide Dog Law (MCL 287.262) requiring all dogs 4+ months old to be licensed annually.
Most Oakland County agricultural townships (Holly, Groveland, Brandon, Springfield, Oxford, Addison, Rose, Highland) permit livestock on parcels of 1 to 5 acres minimum with setbacks of 50 to 200 feet from dwellings on adjacent property. Urbanized communities (Royal Oak, Ferndale, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Southfield, Pontiac, Troy) prohibit livestock outright in residential zones. Slaughter on residential property is prohibited countywide via local ordinances and Michigan's Animal Industry Act (MCL 287.701). Manure storage must comply with MDARD Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs). Dog licensing — administered by Oakland County for residents of most municipalities — costs $15 for spayed/neutered or $25 for intact dogs annually (regular Dec 1 to Jun 1), rising to a flat $40 after June 1 delinquency. Three-year licenses are $40 (altered) or $70 (intact). Senior-citizen discounts apply. Online purchases through DocuPet add a $2.50 service fee. Rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian is mandatory.
Unlicensed dog: misdemeanor under MCL 287.262, fine up to $100 plus delinquency. Livestock zoning violations: municipal civil infraction, typical $100 to $500 per day. Backyard slaughter: misdemeanor under MCL 750.50b (animal cruelty if not humane).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Oakland County's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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