How Farmington Hills Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Farmington Hills maintains 60 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Farmington Hills falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Pet Limits

Section 6-36 caps most Farmington Hills households at three dogs and three cats six months or older at any one time. Licensed pet shops, kennels, and veterinary hospitals are exempt, but anyone housing four or more adult dogs is legally operating a kennel under § 6-35 and needs a separate license.

Key details: Cap: 3 dogs and 3 cats age 6mo+, § 6-36. Exempt: Pet shops, kennels, vet hospitals. 4+ dogs: Legally a "kennel", § 6-35. Kennel zoning: Districts allowing commercial kennels only. License/vaccination: Still required under § 6-33.

Keeping more than three dogs or three cats without a kennel license is a misdemeanor under §§ 1-13 and 1-16, since chapter 6 sits outside the civil-infraction list in § 1-25. It carries a fine of up to $500 and costs, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day over the limit a separate offense, in addition to any kennel-license or zoning enforcement action.

Wildlife Feeding

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.

Key details: 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.

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.

This is one of the stricter rules in Farmington Hills's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

City Code § 6-34 requires every dog to stay confined on its owner's property at all times unless it is on a suitable leash, inside a leash-free area of a public dog park, secured in a vehicle, or on someone else's property with permission. Section 6-31 defines a "suitable leash" as no more than 15 feet long.

Key details: Dog rule: Confined on premises unless leashed, § 6-34(a). Max leash length: 15 feet, § 6-31. Cat rule: "Reasonable control", not leash-specific. Dog park exception: Designated leash-free area. Bite/chase evidence: Not a "suitable leash" per § 6-31.

A loose or unleashed dog violates § 6-34(a) as a misdemeanor under §§ 1-13 and 1-16, since chapter 6 is outside the § 1-25 civil-infraction list. Conviction carries a fine of up to $500 and costs, up to 90 days in jail, or both, and each day the dog runs at large is a separate offense; the city may also pursue impoundment through its animal control provisions.

Chickens & Livestock

City Code § 6-4 bars keeping any animal or fowl, including backyard chickens, within 175 feet of any dwelling other than the owner's, and bans letting them run at large. Household pets kept inside a dwelling are exempt, but anyone who cannot meet the setback can ask the zoning board of appeals for a variance.

Key details: Setback: 175 ft from neighboring dwelling, § 6-4(a). Exempt: Household pets kept indoors. Variance body: Zoning board of appeals, § 6-4(b). Notice radius: 500 ft, mailed 15 days ahead. Vote needed: Two-thirds of ZBA.

Chapter 6 is not on the § 1-25 civil-infraction list, so keeping chickens or livestock inside the 175-foot buffer without a granted variance is a misdemeanor under §§ 1-13 and 1-16, punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of the violation a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Farmington Hills is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Farmington Hills can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.