Animal Ordinances in Livonia, MI (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Livonia, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Livonia Backyard Chicken & Livestock Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsLivonia Zoning Ordinance No. 3160, § 6.34
(1)Districts Permitted. The following standards apply in the RUF Districts as a permitted use.(2)Minimum Lot Size. Fowl and rabbits may be raised and kept for the owner's consumption only on one-half (½) acre or more; two (2) horses may be kept for the owner's use only on one (1) acre or more; two (2) horses and one (1) cow or three (3) horses may be kept for the owner's use only on two (2) acr...
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.
Livonia Ban on Keeping Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 8.24.050
It is unlawful to keep, harbor, possess, or keep in confinement on any premises within the City of Livonia, any wild animals, snakes, birds, bees, or creatures the nature of which, inherently when not confined, constitutes a danger, hazard, or nuisance to public health, safety, and comfort. The prohibition on possession of bees shall not include possession of bees in specified areas of park pro...
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.
Livonia Public Land Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 12.20.100
No person shall on any public land feed, frighten, capture, attempt to capture, hunt, injure, trap or administer or set out any trap or harmful substance for any wild or domestic animal, reptile, bird or fish; nor remove or have in his/her possession the young, eggs or nest of same.
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.
Livonia Cat Owner Waste Removal Duty
Light RestrictionsLivonia Code of Ordinances § 8.24.100(B)
Any person owning a dog or cat, whether or not on a leash, which deposits excrement on public or private property, other than the property of the animal's owner, shall, upon being made aware of such fact, immediately remove such excrement.
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.
Livonia Veterinary Clinic Zoning Standards
Significant RestrictionsLivonia Zoning Ordinance No. 3160, § 6.59
Section 6.59 - Veterinary Clinics, Animal Clinics, and Animal Hospitals. Veterinary clinics, animal clinics, and animal hospitals, provided that such uses or clinics are hereby defined to mean the professional use of a building, by a licensed veterinarian for rendering professional services to household pets, and provided that: (1)Districts Permitted. The following standards apply in the RUF, C...
Looking for Wayne County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Livonia city rules.
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