Animal Ordinances in Pontiac, MI (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Pontiac, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Pontiac bans livestock outright but allows up to three egg-laying hens per property under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.206. Roosters are prohibited, a zoning or building permit is required, and every chicken permit expires December 31 and must be renewed annually.
Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules in Pontiac
Significant RestrictionsPontiac Zoning Ordinance § 4.206(A)(2)-(3)
2. Livestock. ... Livestock is prohibited. Livestock includes, but is not limited to, cattle, sheep, new world camelids, old world camelids, llamas, goats, bison, privately owned cervids, ratites, swine, equids, aquaculture species, and rabbits. Common household pets and poultry are not considered livestock. 3. Poultry. a. Roosters or male chickens or any other type or class of fowl or poultry ...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-53 bans harboring or keeping a dangerous dog, defined by behavior in § 18-1, not by breed. Pontiac repealed its breed-specific pit bull provisions in 2002 by Ordinance No. 2134, so no dog is restricted or banned in the city because of its breed.
Pontiac Bans Dangerous Dogs, Not Specific Breeds
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 18-1, 18-53
Dangerous dog means a dog that bites or attacks a person, a dog that bites or attacks another dog or domestic animal while the other dog or domestic animal is on the property or under the control of its owner, or a dog that threatens a person while the dog is at large. ... No owner shall harbor or keep a dangerous dog. Furthermore, no owner shall harbor or keep a dog in a manner that allows it ...
Beekeeping
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-8 bars anyone from owning or keeping a beehive with live bees within 200 feet of any public street or any building erected within the city. Because most Pontiac lots sit closer than 200 feet to a street or structure, the rule leaves little room for legal backyard apiaries; no permit or registration path is provided in the Code.
Pontiac Restricts Beehives Near Streets, Buildings
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 1-25, 18-8
Whenever in this Code or in any ordinance of the city any act or failure to do a required act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, where no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision of this Code or any ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city or county jail or other ...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-6 makes it unlawful to sell, keep, possess or maintain wild, undomesticated or untamed animals, poisonous fish or insects, or any other inherently harmful or dangerous animal, reptile, fish or insect. The same section also bars cows, horses, pigs, goats, geese, ducks and most livestock citywide, with narrow exemptions for licensed zoos and police animals.
Pontiac Bans Wild and Dangerous Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 1-25, 18-6
Whenever in this Code or in any ordinance of the city any act or failure to do a required act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, where no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision of this Code or any ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city or county jail or other ...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-18(d) makes it unlawful to feed any wild animal anywhere in the city, defining wild animals broadly to include raccoons, skunks, rodents, rabbits, crows, pigeons, doves, seagulls, feral cats and more. All ground feeding is banned outright, but feeding birds or squirrels from an elevated container at least 48 inches high remains allowed.
Pontiac Bans Ground-Feeding of Wild Animals
Significant RestrictionsPontiac City Code § 18-18(c)-(d)
(c) Violation of this section shall be a municipal civil infraction. (d) Feeding of wild animals and birds prohibited except the feeding of birds and squirrels by means of an elevated feeder. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to feed any wild animal in any area in the city. Wild animals shall include all raccoons, skunks, rodents, rabbits, crows, wild birds, including without lim...
Pet Limits
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-46 limits any one property to three dogs age six months or older, unless the property is a duly licensed kennel or veterinary hospital. The cap applies per property citywide and has no separate provision for cats.
Pontiac Caps Dogs at Three Per Property
Some RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 1-25, 18-46
Whenever in this Code or in any ordinance of the city any act or failure to do a required act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, where no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision of this Code or any ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city or county jail or other ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Pontiac, a veterinary hospital or clinic must keep outdoor animal runs or holding areas at least 50 feet from adjacent property lines and out of required setback yards under Zoning Ordinance Section 2.533. Animals must be housed inside an enclosed building overnight, and all medical and surgical procedures must take place entirely indoors.
Pontiac Veterinary Hospital Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsPontiac Zoning Ordinance § 2.533(A),(D)
2.533 Veterinary Hospital or Clinic. ... A. Outdoor Runs or similar "holding" areas shall be at least 50 feet from any adjacent property line or any adjacent property used by the public and shall not be located in any required front, rear or side yard setback area. Animals must be housed within an enclosed building between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. ... ... D. Location of Procedures. ...
Bird Protection
In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 18-13 makes it unlawful to hunt for, pursue, kill or destroy any bird known as a pheasant, grouse, partridge or duck, or any animal known as a deer, rabbit, squirrel or raccoon, within the city limits by firearm, air rifle, slingshot or bow and arrow. Subsection (b) goes further and bans all hunting of any animal in the city.
Pontiac Bans Hunting Birds and Animals Citywide
Heavy RestrictionsPontiac City Code §§ 1-25, 18-13
Whenever in this Code or in any ordinance of the city any act or failure to do a required act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or a misdemeanor, where no specific penalty is provided therefor, the violation of any such provision of this Code or any ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city or county jail or other ...
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