Detroit, MI Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Limit
- Two animals per species, per residence
- Age threshold
- Applies to animals over four months
- Effective date
- September 27, 2020
- Enforcement
- Animal Care and Control Division
- Appeal
- 36th District Court, within 10 days
Summary
Detroit limits residents to two animals of the same species over four months old per single residence, a cap enacted in 2020 to curb hoarding and overcrowding complaints.
No person shall own, harbor, keep, or shelter more than two animals of the same species over the age of four months in a single residence. Animals shall be properly licensed and registered on the effective date of the ordinance that amended this section, which is September 27, 2020. New licenses shall not be issued for animals over the limit of two upon death or rehoming of animals formerly licensed at that residence.(e)No person shall overcrowd rabbits, domestic fowl, poultry, or any other animals in any crate, box, or other receptacle.(f)Whether or not authorized by Section 53 of Chapter IX of the Michigan Penal Code, Animals, being MCL 750.53, the Animal Care and Control Division is authorized to impound any animal which:(1)Appears to have been neglected or cruelly treated, including, but not limited to, actions prohibited in Sections 49 through 51 of Chapter IX of the Michigan Penal Code, Animals, being MCL 750.49 through 750.51; or(2)Appears to have been abandoned. (Code 1984, §§ 6-1-11, 6-2-1, 6-4-1; Ord. No. 04-04, § 1(6-1-11, 6-4-1), eff. 2-17-2004; Ord. No. 06-17, § 1(6-2-1), eff. 4-20-2017; Ord. No. 2020-5, § 1, eff. 9-27-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit City Code § 6-2-1(d) bars owning, harboring, keeping, or sheltering more than two animals of the same species over four months old in a single residence. The two-animal cap took effect September 27, 2020; animals already licensed above the limit at that time could stay, but the Animal Care and Control Division will not issue new licenses for replacement animals once a household is back at or above the cap. Section 6-2-1(e) separately bars overcrowding rabbits, poultry, or other animals in any crate, box, or receptacle. Violations feed into the nuisance-animal hearing process under Section 6-1-7, run by the Administrator with appeal rights at the 36th District Court.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the two-animal limit or overcrowding animals is a code violation; Animal Care and Control can investigate, issue a nuisance determination, and cite owners who don't comply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep three dogs in Detroit?
What happens if I have too many animals at my home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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Pet Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle pet limits.