Royal Oak, MI Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Chapter 587, Rodent Control, reaches beyond building ratproofing into everyday yard habits: § 587-9 states plainly that no person shall feed wild birds other than by means of approved containers elevated at least 48 inches above the ground level. The Health Officer, who administers the chapter and is empowered under § 587-10 to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for carrying out its purpose, decides what counts as an "approved" container, defined in § 587-1 as a device or method demonstrated by test to work for its intended use without harming animals other than rodents.

Ground-scattered bird feed, fallen seed under a low feeder, or an unapproved feeder sitting less than 48 inches up all fall outside the exemption and expose the property to the same rat-harborage enforcement that applies to junk and improperly stored food under §§ 587-4 and 587-6. Because the section is written as part of the rodent chapter rather than the Animals chapter, a resident's obligation is about placement and height, not about whether feeding wildlife is allowed at all: elevate the feeder to the required height in an approved container and the activity is lawful.