Farmington Hills, MI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Bird trigger
- 6+ pigeons/gulls/geese, § 6-10(b)
- Deer feeding ban
- Feed within 5 ft of ground, § 6-11(b)
- Required first step
- Written warning letter
- Bureau fine
- $25/$50/$150, § 1-23
- Court minimum fine
- $150 first, $250 repeat, § 1-24
- Exempt
- Songbird feeders, caged pigeons, DNR permits
Summary
City Code §§ 6-10 and 6-11 make it a civil infraction to feed pigeons, gulls, or Canada geese in groups of six or more, or to leave feed accessible to deer, anywhere in Farmington Hills. The city must issue a written warning before any citation, but songbird feeders and the § 6-11(c) exceptions are not covered.
The congregation of pigeons, gulls and Canada geese poses a health and safety hazard and offends human senses and may cause adverse environmental effects through bird contamination by excrement, insect infestation and dropped feathers. The encouragement of pigeon, gull or Canada geese congregation is declared to be a public nuisance. Congregation is defined as the intermittent or periodic presence of six (6) or more of such birds at one location, encouraged by persons putting out food consisting of corn, breadstuffs, nuts and/or other animal feed. It shall be unlawful for any person to feed a congregation or to, by feeding, create a congregation of pigeons, gulls and Canada geese in the city. ... No person shall place or permit to be placed on the ground, or less than five (5) feet above the ground surface any grain, fodder, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay or other edible materials which may reasonably be expected to result in deer feeding, unless such items are screened or protected in a manner that prevents deer from feeding on them.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Section 6-10 declares that letting six or more pigeons, gulls, or Canada geese "congregate" by putting out corn, breadstuffs, nuts, or other feed is a public nuisance, and § 6-10(c) makes it unlawful to feed such a congregation or to create one by feeding. The prohibition exempts pigeons kept in licensed cages and lofts and exempts songbird feeders that only incidentally attract pigeons, gulls, or geese. Section 6-11 separately bans "deer feeding," defined as depositing or tending feed meant for deer to keep them from starving or for recreational viewing; specifically, no person may place grain, fodder, salt licks, fruit, vegetables, nuts, or hay on the ground, or less than five feet above it, in a way that may reasonably result in deer feeding, unless the material is screened or protected from deer.
Living fruit trees and other live vegetation are not deer feeding. Section 6-11(c) exempts veterinarians and animal control or game officials acting in their duties, food placed for a DNR-permitted deer trapping or taking, feeding domestic animals or wild birds through properly maintained feeding devices, and the use of straw or hay for erosion control, mulching, gardening, or landscaping. Both sections require the city to send a written warning notice, stating the maximum penalty that could apply, before it issues any complaint or citation for a first violation.
Violations & Fines
Unlike most of chapter 6, §§ 6-10 and 6-11 are expressly listed as civil infractions under § 1-25. After the required warning letter, the municipal ordinance violations bureau can accept payment of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second, and $150 for a third or subsequent offense under § 1-23, or a judge can impose the § 1-24 minimums of $150 for a first offense and $250 for a repeat offense if the case is contested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed geese at the park or in my yard in Farmington Hills?
Is deer feeding illegal in Farmington Hills?
Do I get a warning before being fined for feeding wildlife?
How much is the fine for illegal wildlife feeding?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Farmington Hills
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