Animal Ordinances in Royal Oak, MI (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Royal Oak, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Royal Oak does not ban backyard chickens outright but forbids letting them run at large under § 195-1, and requires a City Clerk permit before keeping horses, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs or similar livestock under § 484-14. A permit issues only if the Chief Inspector finds the animals will not create a public nuisance, and any stable or coop must stay clean and sanitary.
Royal Oak Livestock Permit and Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 195-1, 484-14
§ 195-1. Running at large prohibited. ... It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to permit any chickens or other fowls owned by them or in their possession or under their control to run at large within the corporate limits of the City of Royal Oak. ... ... § 484-14. Keeping of livestock; removal of animals. A. No person shall keep any livestock, or any other animals, in the City in such...
Dog Leash Laws
Royal Oak's Dog Ordinance, § 195-16, bars any owner from letting a dog stray beyond the owner's premises unless the dog is under 'reasonable control,' defined in § 195-9 as being on a suitable leash, cord, chain or rope. A dog in heat may only leave the property on a leash, and every dog off its owner's property must be immunized against rabies. Violations bring up to a $500 fine or 90 days in jail.
Royal Oak Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 195-9, 195-16
REASONABLE CONTROL Keeping a dog on a suitable leash, cord, chain or rope of sufficient strength while under control of the owner, member of the owner's family or other responsible person who has the owner's permission, in all cases other than while confined upon the owner's property or while dog is confined in a closed automobile or shipping receptacle. § 195-1 ... ... 6. Running at large. ......
Breed Restrictions
Royal Oak does not restrict any dog breed by name. Instead, § 195-24 lets the Animal Control Officer classify any individual dog as 'dangerous' or 'potentially dangerous' based on a bite or attack, regardless of breed, as defined in § 195-23. A classified dog's owner must carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance, keep the dog in a proper enclosure, post a warning sign and complete obedience training under § 195-25.
Royal Oak's Dangerous Dog Rule, Not a Breed Ban
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 195-23, 195-24
DANGEROUS DOG A. Any dog that bites or attacks a person; or B. Any dog that bites or attacks a dog or other domestic animal and causes serious injury to the other dog or domestic animal while the other dog or domestic animal is on the property or under the control of its owner. ... ... § 195-24. Determination of dangerous dog. A. The Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to make a det...
Beekeeping
Royal Oak has no separate beekeeping permit or hive-setback ordinance; bees fall under the City's general pet-nuisance law instead. City Code § 484-13 bars keeping any bee, along with any other animal, bird, or pet, that causes neighborhood annoyance, and specifically flags stinging or molesting people as a bee-related violation.
Royal Oak Bee Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 484-13, 484-21
§ 484-13. Keeping of pets. No person shall harbor or keep any animal, bird, bee, or pet, which causes annoyance in the neighborhood either by: A. Barking, howling, braying, crowing, or making other sounds common to its species. ... D. In the case of bees, stinging or molesting any person. ... § 484-21. Violations and penalties. ... A. A violation of this chapter is a municipal civil infraction,...
Exotic Pets
The City of Royal Oak bans keeping, harboring or possessing nondomestic animals in any residential area under City Code § 195-40. The ban covers big cats, wolves, primates, crocodilians, venomous reptiles and other animals defined as nondomestic in § 195-39. A narrow grandfather exception lets residents who already owned such an animal in 2021 keep it if licensed through the City Clerk under § 195-46.
Royal Oak Nondomestic Animal Ownership Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 195-40
§ 195-40. Nondomestic animals prohibited; exceptions. A. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or possess one or more nondomestic animals as defined in § 195-39 in this article or attempt to do any of these actions in any residential area in the City of Royal Oak. ... ... C. A violation of this section shall result in the filing of a sworn complaint with the District Court as stat...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Royal Oak, Section 587-9 of the Rodent Control chapter prohibits feeding wild birds except through an approved container elevated at least 48 inches above ground level. The rule sits inside the City's anti-rat program because loose birdseed on the ground is a recognized rodent food source.
Royal Oak Requires Elevated Containers For Bird Feeding
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 587-9
§ 587-9. Bird feeders. No person shall feed wild birds other than by means of approved containers elevated at least 48 inches above the ground level.
Microchipping
Royal Oak does not require microchipping of ordinary pets. It only requires it, as an alternative to a tattoo, for a dog already classified as dangerous under § 195-25(4), and for a nondomestic animal classified as dangerous or potentially dangerous under § 195-43B(2)(d). The owner chooses and pays for the option, and it must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
Royal Oak Microchip Rule for Dangerous Dogs
Light RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code §§ 195-25, 195-43
(4) The owner of a dangerous dog shall, at the owner's option and expense, by or under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, have an identification number tattooed upon the animal or have a microchip injected under the animal's skin. An identification number shall be tattooed on the upper inner left rear thigh of the dog by means of indelible or permanent ink. ... (d) The owner of a dange...
Pet Store Rules
City Code § 195-36 makes it unlawful for any retail pet store in Royal Oak to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, rabbit or ferret. Stores may still host an animal control shelter or a qualifying nonprofit rescue organization to showcase adoptable animals for free, but they cannot own the animals or collect any adoption or space fee. Violators face a misdemeanor under § 195-37.
Royal Oak Retail Pet Store Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 195-36
§ 195-36. Sale of dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets by retail pet stores prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for a retail pet store to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, rabbit, or ferret. A retail pet store may provide space to an animal control shelter, as defined in MCLA § 287.331(f), or an animal rescue organization, as defined in this article, to offe...
Pet Groomer Rules
In the City of Royal Oak, dog grooming facilities are a permitted personal service use in the Neighborhood Business Zone under City Code § 770-39B(9), listed alongside barbershops and nail salons, so long as the facility has no outdoor exercise runs or pens.
Dog Grooming Zoning in Royal Oak
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-39B(9)
(9) Personal service establishments, such as barber, hair salons, nail salons, tanning salons, watch and jewelry repair, small electronic appliance and computer repair, tailors and alteration shops, shoe repair, locksmith, exterminators, janitorial services, carpet and upholstery cleaning services, copy shops without off-set printing, dog grooming facilities with no outdoor exercise runs or pens.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Royal Oak, a veterinary office or hospital cannot open by right in the Office Service or Neighborhood Business Zones. City Code §§ 770-38C(2) and 770-39C(1) list veterinary offices and hospitals, including accessory boarding, as a special land use, and any outdoor exercise runs or pens are flatly prohibited.
Vet Hospital Zoning Rules in Royal Oak
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 770-38C(2)
C. Special land uses. ... (2) Veterinary offices and hospitals, including accessory boarding, provided no outdoor exercise runs or pens are permitted.
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Royal Oak city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Oakland County →