Animal Ordinances in Livonia, MI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Livonia or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Livonia has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Livonia allows veterinary clinics, animal clinics, and animal hospitals as a discretionary waiver use in the RUF, C-1, and C-2 districts, and by right only in C-3, under Zoning Ordinance No. 3160, Section 6.59. The Ordinance limits the use to sick-pet medical care, bars outdoor boarding kennels, and requires soundproof construction to contain noise and odor.

Key details: Districts allowed: RUF, C-1, C-2 (waiver); C-3 (by right). Boarding: Prohibited as a boarding establishment. Outdoor kennels/pens: Not permitted. Staffing: Full-time attendant or vet required on-site. Construction: Building and ventilation must be soundproof.

Operating a veterinary clinic as a pet boarding kennel, keeping animals in outdoor runways or pens, or running the clinic without a licensed veterinarian or qualified attendant present violates Section 6.59 and is enforceable by the Livonia Inspection Department. A clinic that fails to control noise or odor from treatment areas, or that opens in the RUF, C-1, or C-2 districts without waiver use approval, can be cited or have its occupancy challenged.

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

Cat Rules

Livonia does not license or restrict cats by ordinance, but every cat owner must remove excrement the animal deposits on any property other than the owner's own, leashed or not, once made aware of it. The city also collects dead cats within 12 hours of notification.

Key details: Governing section: Livonia Code § 8.24.100(B). Duty: Immediate excrement removal by owner. Applies: Whether or not the cat is on a leash. No cat licensing chapter: None currently in force. Dead animal pickup: City removes within 12 hours (§13.36.350).

Chapter 8.24 sets no specific fine for failing to remove a cat's excrement, so the citywide default in Section 1.12.010 applies: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, in the court's discretion, in addition to any nuisance-abatement action the city takes under Section 8.24.090.

Livonia is more permissive than most cities when it comes to cat rules. That said, there are still limits.

Exotic Pets

Livonia outlaws keeping any wild animal, snake or bird on a property in the city if the creature is inherently dangerous, hazardous or a nuisance when unconfined. The nuisance chapter's flat prohibition allows no permit or exception except for bees kept in specific city park areas approved for education.

Key details: Governing section: Livonia Code § 8.24.050. Scope: Wild animals, snakes, birds, bees on any premises. Standard: Inherently dangerous, hazardous or nuisance when unconfined. Only exception: Bees in designated educational park areas. Amended: Ord. No. 3207, June 17, 2024.

Chapter 8.24 carries no dedicated fine for keeping a prohibited wild animal, so the citywide default penalty in Section 1.12.010 governs: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both, at the discretion of the court, in addition to any nuisance abatement the city undertakes under Section 8.24.090.

Compared to other cities, Livonia takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildlife Feeding

Livonia's public land ordinance bars feeding, frightening, capturing, hunting, injuring, or trapping any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird, or fish on city-owned land, and also bars taking eggs, nests, or young. The ban covers parks, parkways, and public rights-of-way, and is enforced by parks and recreation, the inspection bureau, and police.

Key details: Applies to: Public land only: parks, parkways, city ROW. Banned acts: Feed, frighten, capture, hunt, injure, trap. Also banned: Taking eggs, nests, or young of protected animals. Enforced by: Parks & Rec, Inspection Bureau, Police (§12.20.150). Default penalty: Up to $500 fine / 90 days (§1.12.010).

Chapter 12.20 does not set its own fine for violating Section 12.20.100; violations fall under the citywide default misdemeanor penalty in Section 1.12.010, punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, with the police department, parks and recreation, and the inspection bureau all authorized to enforce it under Section 12.20.150.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Livonia actively enforces its wildlife feeding requirements.

Chickens & Livestock

Livonia limits backyard chickens, rabbits, and livestock to the RUF (Rural Urban Farm) District under Zoning Ordinance Section 6.34, scaled to lot size: fowl and rabbits for personal consumption need at least a half-acre, two horses need at least an acre, and two horses plus a cow, or three horses, need at least two acres. No other residential district permits keeping fowl or livestock at all.

Key details: Fowl/rabbits, own use: 0.5 acre minimum, RUF district only. Two horses: 1 acre minimum. Two horses + cow, or 3 horses: 2 acres minimum. Fowl/rabbits for sale: 5 acres minimum. Husbandry standard: Must follow state GAAMP practices.

Keeping fowl, rabbits, or livestock outside the RUF District, on an undersized lot, or without proper GAAMP-compliant husbandry and fencing, is enforced by the Building Official under Section 14.03. A violator faces a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to 93 days, or both, or a first-offense civil infraction capped at $500, with each day of continued violation charged separately and possible nuisance-per-se abatement under Section 14.02.

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

The Bottom Line

Livonia is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Livonia, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Livonia 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.