Ann Arbor, MI Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species
- dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, birds, reptiles
- Max fine
- $500 per violation, per day
- Exemption
- animals bred and reared on-site
- Adoption allowed
- shelter and rescue partnerships in-store
- Enforced by
- Community Standards Officers
Summary
Ann Arbor bars pet stores from selling or transferring dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, long-lived birds, or large reptiles: stores may only host shelter and rescue adoptions, under the city's Chapter 92 Humane Pet Acquisition ordinance.
No pet store shall offer for sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles. Nothing in this section shall prevent a pet store or its owner, operator, or employees from providing space and appropriate care for animals owned by an animal control shelter, animal protection shelter, or an animal rescue organization, as defined in this chapter, and maintained at the pet store for the purpose of adopting those animals to the public.(2)No person or business entity shall offer for sale, as defined in this chapter, dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles on a roadside, public right-of-way, commercial parking lot, outdoor special sale, swap meet, flea market, or other similar event.(3)No person, breeder or business entity shall hold off-site retail sales of animals at a location other than where the animal was bred.(4)A pet store shall not sell or transfer any live animal without providing disclosure through a certificate of origin prior to the sale or transfer.(5)No person shall knowingly provide or present an inaccurate certificate of origin. (Ord. No. 23-18, § 1, 6-20-23)
7:382. - Exemptions. This chapter does not apply to:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 92 (Humane Pet Acquisition) bans pet stores from offering for sale, transferring, or disposing of dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds, or large reptiles, whether in-store or at swap meets, flea markets, and parking-lot sales. Stores may still house animals owned by an animal control shelter, animal protection shelter, or animal rescue organization for public adoption. Animals bred and reared on the seller's own premises are exempt, and any pet store already selling these animals when the ordinance took effect in 2023 could continue for one year. Every sale must include a certificate of origin.
Violations & Fines
Selling or transferring a banned animal is a civil infraction punishable by up to $500 per violation; each day of continued sale is a separate offense, enforced by Community Standards Officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet store in Ann Arbor sell puppies from a breeder?
Can Ann Arbor pet stores still host adoptions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
Compare Ann Arbor to another location·View the Michigan animal ordinances overview
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