Animal Ordinances in Dearborn Heights, MI (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Dearborn Heights, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
City Code § 6-66 bars keeping any animal or domestic fowl in Dearborn Heights except dogs, cats, canaries or small household pets. Section 6-96 reinforces this by naming horses, cows, swine, sheep, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, rabbits and pigeons as animals barred from any lot with a dwelling unless the property is a bona fide farm.
Backyard Chickens and Livestock Ban in Dearborn Heights
Heavy RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 6-66, 6-96
No person shall keep or house any animals or domestic fowl within the city except dogs, cats, canaries or small animals commonly classified as pets which are customarily kept or housed inside dwellings as household pets. ... No horse, cow, calf, swine, sheep, goat, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, rabbits or pigeons shall be kept in any dwelling or part thereof. No such animal or fowl shall und...
Dog Leash Laws
City Code § 6-94 bars a dog or animal from running at large anywhere in Dearborn Heights and requires a leash or adequate owner control whenever the animal is on a public area or another person's private property. Guide dogs performing their duties are exempt from both rules.
Leash and Running-at-Large Law in Dearborn Heights
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 6-94
(a)No owner or person harboring or keeping a dog or other animal shall suffer the same to run at large at any time within the city. "Running at large" is used in this article to mean wandering unrestrained on any street, alley, common or other public or open spaces or other places within the limits of the city, or upon any private property other than that of the owner of such animal.(b)It shall...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Dearborn Heights, owners of pit bull dogs, defined by breed under City Code Sec. 6-162, must be at least 18, microchip and license the dog as a pit bull, and provide photographs at each licensing renewal. Violations carry civil fines starting at $500.
Dearborn Heights Pit Bull Owner Requirements
Significant RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 6-162, 6-163(a), 6-164(a)
Pit bull dog shall mean any and all of the following dogs; (1)The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dogs;(2)The American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dogs;(3)The American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dogs;(4)Dogs which have the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breed of dogs known as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and/or American Pit Bull...
Exotic Pets
City Code § 6-67 bans keeping any poisonous reptile in Dearborn Heights outright and bars keeping or selling a wild or exotic reptile or animal unless the owner holds the applicable state or federal license. Selling any reptile at all also requires a state license under the same section.
Wild and Exotic Animal Ban in Dearborn Heights
Heavy RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code §§ 6-2, 6-67
Wild exotic animals means those animals not indigenous to the state or not normally considered domestic animals. ... The keeping of all poisonous reptiles is prohibited. The offering for sale of all reptiles is prohibited in the city unless an appropriate license is obtained from the state. The keeping or sale of all wild or exotic reptiles or animals is prohibited unless applicable state and/o...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Dearborn Heights it is unlawful to feed wild animals or leave food on the ground where raccoons, skunks, rats, waterfowl, and other wildlife can reach it. The only exception is bird feed dispensed from an elevated, animal-proof feeder under City Code Sec. 6-97.
Dearborn Heights Wildlife Ground-Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 6-97(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to feed any wild animal, whether directly or indirectly, or to place or permit placement on the ground of any fruit, berries, grain, vegetables, nuts, salt, or other edible material or bait which may reasonably be expected to feed wild animals. Wild animals include, but are not limited to, raccoons, skunks, rodents, rabbits, crows, wild birds, rats, mice, fow...
Pet Limits
City Code § 6-91 caps residential pet ownership in Dearborn Heights at three animals over four months old per household. The limit sits in Chapter 6's Article V on prohibited acts and applies to anyone residing in a residential area of the city.
Household Pet Limit in Dearborn Heights
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 6-91
No person or persons residing in a residential area in the city shall be permitted to keep, harbor or possess more than a total of three (3) animals over the age of four (4) months.
Cat Rules
In the City of Dearborn Heights, feeding feral or stray cats without prior approval from the director of animal control is unlawful, whether by hand-feeding or leaving food out, attended or not. Approved feeding requires sign-off from that director under City Code Sec. 6-97(b).
Dearborn Heights Feral Cat Feeding Rules
Significant RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 6-97(b)
(b)Unlawful feeding of feral/stray cats or dogs. Any unapproved feeding shall be unlawful as to any feral/stray cat or dog by any means, including hand feeding or setting out food whether or not the food is left attended or unattended. Any approved feeding shall be reviewed and approved by the director of animal control/ordinance. ... (d)A person who violates any part of this section 6-97 shall...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Dearborn Heights, City Code Sec. 36-173 sets the zoning standards a veterinary clinic must follow. The clinic must be run by a licensed or registered veterinarian, keep all activity other than outdoor runs inside a fully enclosed building that contains noise and odor on-site, and cannot keep or quarter animals outdoors between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Dearborn Heights Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 36-173
(a)Landscaping and screening. Outdoor enclosures or runs shall be screened from street rights-of-way and adjacent residential districts and uses per subsection 36-392(e), Screening.(b)Operating requirements. The clinic shall be operated by a licensed or registered veterinarian, and shall be subject to the following:(1)All boarding shall be limited to animals brought in for treatment or surgery,...
Bird Protection
In the City of Dearborn Heights, feeding pigeons, gulls, or doves on public or commercial property is outright illegal, and feeding them on private property is banned if it causes roosting on public or private land. The City Code declares the resulting roosting a public nuisance.
Dearborn Heights Pigeon and Gull Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsDearborn Heights City Code § 6-97(c)
(c)Unlawful feeding of pigeons, gulls and doves.(1)Public nuisance. The roosting and lingering of pigeons, gulls and doves on public or commercial property poses a health hazard, in addition to offending aesthetic senses through bird contamination. Such lingering or roosting, or the encouragement of excessive bird congregation, on public, private, or commercial property is declared to be a publ...
Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dearborn Heights city rules.
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