Animal Ordinances in Ann Arbor, MI (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Ann Arbor, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Ann Arbor allows up to 6 chickens or ducks per residential property, but only with a City Clerk-issued 6-bird permit, no roosters, and a rear-yard covered or fenced enclosure set back 10 feet from property lines, with slaughter banned.
Ann Arbor Backyard Chicken Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:42
Any person who keeps chickens or ducks in the city shall obtain a 6-bird permit from the city prior to acquiring the chickens or ducks... Keep no more than 6 birds... No person shall keep any rooster (male chicken). Both drakes (male ducks) and hen ducks (female ducks) may be kept... No covered enclosure or fenced enclosure shall be located closer than 10 feet to any property line of an adjacen...
Dog Leash Laws
Ann Arbor requires dogs to be leashed, tethered, or confined on the owner's property; a dog not under this 'reasonable control' can be cited and impounded on the spot.
Ann Arbor Dog Leash & Control Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:45(7)
Under reasonable control. A dog which is:(a)Secured by a leash held by the owner or a person having custody or possession of a dog;(b)Secured by a leash which is attached to a stationary object and attended by the owner or person having custody or possession of a dog; or(c)On the premises of the owner or person having custody or possession of a dog or confined in a vehicle.(d)On the premises of...
Breed Restrictions
Ann Arbor's dangerous-animal definition expressly excludes breed as a factor: City Code § 9:45(2) says an animal is not dangerous solely 'because of its breed or perceived breed.'
Ann Arbor Rejects Breed-Based Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:45(2)
An animal shall not be considered dangerous solely because:(a)It has bitten or attacked a person or any animal attacking its owner or its owner's family;(b)If it bites or injures a person who has, without justification, provoked it by attacking it or its young; or(c)Because of its breed or perceived breed.
Beekeeping
Ann Arbor caps residential beekeeping at 2 hives or stands per property citywide: no permit needed below that limit, but exceeding it, outside apiary education or research, is a civil infraction with a fine up to $500.
Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeeping Limit
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:39
No person shall keep or possess an apiary containing more than 2 stands or hives of bees within the City of Ann Arbor, unless engaged in apiary education or research. A violation of this section shall be a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00. (Ord. No. 21-28, § 5, 9-20-21) 9:40. - Traps. No person shall use a leghold, body-gripping, conibear, or snare trap ...
Wildlife Feeding
Ann Arbor bans placing grain, fruit, salt licks or other edible material where it's likely to attract deer, with exceptions for bird/pet feeders, gardening and DNR-permitted trapping.
Ann Arbor Deer Feeding Ban
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:54(2)
No person may place or permit to be placed on the ground, or less than 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. Living fruit trees and other live vegetation shall ...
Cat Rules
Ann Arbor requires every cat older than 6 months to be currently immunized against rabies at all times; an unvaccinated cat is a code violation, not merely advisable.
Ann Arbor Cat Rabies Vaccination Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 9:47(12)
(12)The owner of a cat older than 6 months fails to have it at all times immunized against rabies;(13)The owner fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink or shelter from the weather;(14)The owner fails to provide the animal with medical attention necessary to prevent the animal from suffering;(15)The owner confines or leaves the animal in a vehicle or other enclosure without adequate ...
Pet Store Rules
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.
Ann Arbor Pet Store Dog and Cat Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 7:381
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 cha...