Animal Ordinances in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)

Sterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 3.01(B)

The following uses shall be permitted, subject to the limitations of this ordinance: A. One family detached dwellings (subject to section 28.08); B. Agriculture, provided that on parcels of less than eight acres, there shall be no raising of livestock, fowl or other animals;

Sterling Heights City Code § 8-9(A)

(A) All animals shall be kept under restraint. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any animal owned, kept, possessed, or harbored by such person, or under his or her control, to run at large or unattended, upon the public streets, walks, alleys, parks, public places within the city, or upon the premises of another, without express permission of the owner or occupant of the pr...

Sterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 8-28

The purpose of this section is to establish a procedure for identifying dogs that pose a potential or significant threat to the safety of people, animals, or property, to impose precautionary restrictions on such dogs in an effort to prevent a serious injury from occurring, and to promote responsible ownership of all dogs within the city.    (A)   Determination of a potentially dangerous dog. T...

Sterling Heights City Code §§ 8-54(A)-(B), 8-54A

(A) No person shall keep or allow the keeping of bees on any property unless a hobby beekeeping permit for the keeping of bees on that property has been issued and remains valid in accordance with the requirements of this article. (B) Beehives shall only be installed and operated in accordance with all of the following standards: (1) A beehive may only be located in the rear yard of a property;...

Sterling Heights City Code § 8-23(A)

(A) EXOTIC ANIMAL means those animals that are not domestic or any cross of those animals not domestic to North America... it shall be unlawful for a person to possess, breed, exchange, buy or sell, or attempt any of those actions, or harbor the following exotic or wild animals: (1) Apes, monkeys, and related forms...; (4) Cats from the wild family, including...bobcats, cheetahs, cougars, jagua...

Sterling Heights City Code § 302.5.1(6) (Property Maintenance Code)

302.5.1 Rodent prevention. In order to prevent rodent infestation, all owners or occupants in the city shall: ... (6) Elevate to a height of at least 48 inches above ground level all containers used for the feeding of wild birds or animals.

Sterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 8-31(A)

Notwithstanding any other ordinance to the contrary, it shall be unlawful for any person or owner to keep or harbor more than four animals older than four months of age at any one address or premises.    (B)   The provisions of this section shall not apply to:       (1)   Puppies and kittens not exceeding four months of age;       (2)   The business premises of a licensed veterinarian; or      ...

Sterling Heights City Code § 8-27

It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to have possession or custody of any cat without having it under control or confined to his or her premises at all times.

Sterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 8-28(E)(1)(g)

The potentially dangerous dog, if over 12 weeks old, has been spayed or neutered.          (h)   All impoundment and lodging costs have been paid by the owner.       (2)   Before the dog returns to any property within the city other than a qualified rescue organization or a boarding business, the owner of a potentially dangerous dog shall ensure that the dog's license is current and shall regis...

Sterling Heights Code of Ordinances § 8-28(E)(1)(c)

A potentially dangerous dog shall have a microchip implanted by a licensed veterinarian. The microchip shall contain the name and approximate age of the dog, its classification as potentially dangerous, and the name, address, and telephone number of the registered owner.          (d)   The owner shall obtain and maintain public liability insurance with policy coverage in the minimum amount of $...

Sterling Heights Zoning Ordinance § 11.02.A

Veterinary offices or clinics providing medical, surgical and grooming facilities for small nonfarm animals, subject to the following: 1. The incidental boarding of animals for the limited time period immediately before and after the furnishing of medical, surgical or grooming services allowed under this section 11.02A. shall be permitted as an accessory use; 2. All facilities shall be complete...