Bay County, MI Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Kennel threshold
- 3+ dogs kept for remuneration
- License deadline
- Apply by March 31 annually
- Fee, 3-5 dogs
- $15
- Fee, 6-10 dogs
- $25
- Zoning approval required
- From township, village or city
- Exempt
- Litter of puppies under 4 months
Summary
Bay County does not cap the number of pets a household may keep for its own use, but it draws the line at three or more dogs kept for sale, boarding, breeding, training or sporting purposes for pay: that meets the code's definition of a kennel and requires a separate county kennel license.
(m)Kennel. Any establishment, except a pet shop, animal shelter or pound licensed pursuant to Act 287 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being MCL 287.331-340, wherein or whereon three (3) or more dogs are confined and kept for sale, boarding, breeding, training or sporting purposes, for remuneration, constructed so as to prevent the public or stray dogs from obtaining entrance thereto and gaining contact with dogs lodged therein. This definition shall not be deemed to apply to a litter of puppies with their mother and under four (4) months of age. ... ... Sec. 7. Any person who owns, keeps or operates a kennel shall on or before July 1 of the year following such ownership obtain a kennel license from the Treasurer and shall be subject to the following rules: ... (e)The fees for said kennel license shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) for three (3) to five (5) dogs, twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for six (6) to ten (10) dogs, forty dollars ($40.00) for eleven (11) to fifteen (15) dogs, and twenty dollars ($20.00) for each additional ten (10) dogs, unless changed from time to time by a resolution or motion of the Board of Commissioners.
Full Breakdown
200(m), defines a 'kennel' as any establishment, except a licensed pet shop or animal shelter, wherein or whereon three or more dogs are confined and kept for sale, boarding, breeding, training or sporting purposes for remuneration, built so as to prevent the public or stray dogs from gaining entrance and contact with the dogs lodged there. That definition excludes a litter of puppies under four months old kept with their mother. Because the definition is tied to keeping dogs 'for remuneration,' the three-dog threshold reaches commercial and semi-commercial dog keeping such as breeding or boarding for pay rather than an ordinary household with several pet dogs kept for no compensation.
407(b). The Animal Control Officer will not issue a kennel license unless the operator also has written zoning approval from the applicable township, village or city zoning administrator, since Bay County itself does not zone. Kennel license fees run $15 for three to five dogs, $25 for six to ten, $40 for eleven to fifteen, and $20 for each additional ten dogs.
Violations & Fines
Operating a kennel as defined in Section 50.200(m) without the required license draws enforcement under the Ordinance's general penalty provisions in Article X. The Animal Control Officer can also suspend or revoke a kennel license under Section 50.303(g) if conditions at the site are unhealthy or inhumane to the animals, pending correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bay County limit how many dogs I can own?
When do I need a kennel license?
Do I need zoning approval to run a kennel?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bay County
Compare Bay County to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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