Dearborn, MI Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- Case-by-case, no fixed cap
- Governing section
- § 13-2(20)
- First-offense fine
- $250 civil infraction
- Repeat-offense fine
- $500 within 6 months
- Enforced by
- Police, Building & Safety, DPW
Summary
Dearborn treats keeping more animals than a property can reasonably support as a nuisance in itself, judged case by case against factors like waste buildup, odor, structural damage, and animals running at large.
The possession, harboring, or providing shelter for an excessive number of animals. The term "excessive number" shall be determined on a case-by-case basis; the criteria to be applied in making such determination shall include, but is not limited to, violations of subsections 21-28.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 13-2(20) of the Dearborn Code of Ordinances declares the possession, harboring, or sheltering of an "excessive number of animals" a nuisance, with no fixed head count: the city decides case by case using the related subsections as criteria: failure to remove animal waste (21), foul odors from improper care (22), structural damage from repeated defecation or urination (23), flea and tick infestations (24), poor animal or human health from neglect (25)-(26), and property damage from animals running at large (28). Police, the department of building and safety, and public works enforce the nuisance chapter; a first violation of § 13-3 is a $250 civil infraction, with $500 fines for repeat violations within six months on the same property.
Violations & Fines
Maintaining an excessive-animal nuisance violates § 13-3: a $250 civil fine for a first offense, $500 for a repeat violation within six months, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pets before it's considered hoarding in Dearborn?
What's the penalty for an animal nuisance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle pet limits.