Animal Ordinances in Shelby, MI (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Shelby, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Village of Shelby allows backyard poultry on a sliding scale tied to lot size, from four female birds on a 6,000-square-foot parcel up to fifteen per acre, while livestock requires a minimum two acres per animal under § 100-15.
Shelby Village Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Some Restrictions§§ 100-15(A), 100-15(E)(1)
A minimum of two acres shall be required to keep one livestock animal on any premises within the Village. For each additional one acre beyond the initial two acres, one additional livestock animal may be kept. ... Up to four female poultry may be kept on a tax parcel having at least 6,000 square feet. Up to eight female poultry may be kept on a tax parcel parcels over 10,000 square feet. Up to ...
Dog Leash Laws
Village of Shelby ordinance § 100-4 requires every dog and cat to stay under restraint: confined to the owner's property or on a leash no longer than six feet. Dogs and cats cannot run at large anywhere in the village, with narrow exceptions for service animals and dogs in active training or competition.
Shelby Village Dog and Cat Leash Law
Some Restrictions§§ 100-1, 100-4(A)
A dog or cat shall be considered under restraint if it is within the real property limits of its owner or secured by its owner on a leash or lead no greater than six feet in length and of sufficient strength to confine the animal. ... All dogs and cats shall be kept under restraint, except for a service animal actively engaged in performing its duty or a dog actively engaged in training or perf...
Breed Restrictions
Village of Shelby does not restrict ownership by breed, but § 100-13 imposes strict leash, muzzle, confinement, signage and $50,000 liability insurance requirements on any dog a court or animal control officer has declared dangerous or vicious, and it caps a single property at one such dog.
Shelby Village Dangerous Dog Rules
Heavy Restrictions§§ 100-1, 100-13(A)(1), 100-13(A)(6)
VICIOUS ANIMAL Means any animal which: A. Has killed a person; or B. Has inflicted serious injury to a person; or C. Has continued to exhibit the behavior which resulted in a previous finding by a court or animal control officer that it is a dangerous or vicious dog, provided that its owner has been given notice of that finding. ... No person shall permit a dangerous dog to go outside its kenne...
Exotic Pets
Village of Shelby bans keeping lions, tigers, bears, wolves, apes, large monkeys, alligators and other dangerous wild species as pets. Section 100-14(B) lists the prohibited animals by name, and the only exception in the ordinance is a licensed zoo.
Shelby Village Exotic and Wild Animal Ban
Heavy Restrictions§§ 100-1, 100-14(B)
WILD ANIMAL Means any living member of the animal kingdom, including those born or raised in captivity, except the following: ... No lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves or wolf hybrids, apes, gorillas, monkeys in excess of 20 pounds, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, or poisonous or constrictor snakes shall be kept in the Village, except in a licensed zoo.
Wildlife Feeding
Village of Shelby makes it a violation to feed wild animals, stray cats or stray dogs anywhere in the village. Section 100-8(G) lists the feeding of wildlife and strays among the chapter's general prohibitions, alongside cruelty, animal fighting and nuisance conduct, enforced as a municipal civil infraction.
Shelby Village Wild Animal Feeding Ban
Significant Restrictions§ 100-8(G)
The following actions or failures to act shall constitute a violation of this chapter, in addition to other prohibitions or violations found in this chapter. ... Engaging in the feeding of wild animals, stray cats, or stray dogs.
Pet Limits
Village of Shelby caps how many dogs and cats a household may keep outside a licensed kennel, veterinary clinic or commercial use. Section 100-12(A) sets the limit at three adult dogs, four adult cats, or four small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs or ferrets.
Shelby Village Household Pet Limit
Some Restrictions§ 100-12(A)
In other than a permitted veterinary clinic, kennel, or commercial use, no person shall maintain more than three adult dogs, four adult cats, or four small animals in the Village, unless otherwise provided by this chapter. Animals born on the premises to a legally confined pet may remain thereon until four months of age, after which they shall be considered adult dogs or cats.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Village of Shelby does not require pet owners in general to spay or neuter their animals, but § 100-6(B) bars the county or contracted animal shelter from releasing any dog or cat for adoption unless it has been neutered first. If the animal is too young, the adopter pays the fee up front and the procedure follows later.
Shelby Village Shelter Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some Restrictions§ 100-6(B)
Any animal control shelter in which an animal is impounded shall carry on release, treatment, adoption or disposal of animals in accordance with the requirements of state law. No dog or cat shall be released for adoption to any person without being neutered. If the animal is too young to neuter at the time of adoption, the fee shall be paid for services, which shall be performed at a later date.