Animal Ordinances in Wyoming, MI (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Wyoming, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Wyoming's Code of Ordinances regulates animals in Chapter 6 and zoning uses in Chapter 90, neither of which lists chickens or other agricultural animals as a permitted use in residential districts. As a rule, chickens are not allowed inside the City of Wyoming. The narrow exception is that the Chief Building Official has discretionary authority to allow a specific property to keep chickens after a written request, site plan showing coop and run, and notification of adjoining neighbors. Michigan does not preempt local poultry-keeping rules in cities.
Wyoming MI Chickens, Fowl and Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Wyoming Code Chapter 6 (Animals) provides the local restraint and at-large framework for dogs in the City. The Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (Act 339, MCL 287.261 et seq.) supplies the state floor: every dog six months or older must be licensed, and MCL 287.262 prohibits owners from allowing dogs to stray unless properly held in leash. Kent County Animal Control administers licensing for all of Kent County including Wyoming and responds to stray-dog complaints countywide from the Kent County Animal Shelter at 740 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids.
Wyoming MI Dog Leash and Confinement Rules
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Michigan does not have statewide preemption of breed-specific local ordinances — cities and townships are free under home rule to adopt breed-specific rules if they choose. Wyoming's current Chapter 6 (Animals) regulates dogs by behavior through nuisance, restraint, and dangerous-dog provisions rather than by an enumerated breed list. Wyoming's dangerous-dog framework is aligned with the state dangerous-dog statute at MCL 287.321 et seq. enforced through Kent County District Court (61st District).
Wyoming MI Breed-Specific Legislation
Some RestrictionsBeekeeping
Wyoming's Code of Ordinances does not contain an express urban-beekeeping framework, and bees are not listed as a permitted accessory use in residential zones under Chapter 90. The Michigan Bee Law (1976 PA 412, MCL 286.501 et seq.) does not require state-level registration or inspection of hives, but does authorize MDARD voluntary inspections. The Michigan Right to Farm Act preempts local restrictions only for commercial apiaries producing honey for sale and conforming to GAAMPs; backyard hobby hives in residential Wyoming remain subject to local nuisance and zoning review.
Wyoming MI Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Wyoming Code Chapter 6 (Animals) addresses dangerous and wild animals through general nuisance and restraint provisions, and Chapter 90 (Zoning) does not list exotic species as a customary residential accessory use. Statewide, the Michigan Large Carnivore Act (2000 PA 274, MCL 287.1101 et seq.) prohibits acquisition and possession of big cats and bears as pets and grandfathered pre-2000 owners only under strict MDARD permits. Michigan also prohibits possession of wolf-dog hybrids and dangerous reptiles under separate state statutes.
Wyoming MI Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Wyoming's local wildlife-feeding enforcement runs through Chapter 6 nuisance provisions and the City's property-maintenance rules against accumulations attracting vermin. Statewide rules add a major restriction: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources bans baiting and feeding of free-ranging white-tailed deer and elk across the entire Lower Peninsula and other designated areas to limit Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and bovine tuberculosis. Kent County, which contains Wyoming, sits within the Lower Peninsula CWD/TB feeding ban.
Wyoming MI Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Wyoming addresses animal hoarding through two overlapping frameworks: (1) Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, which prohibits keeping animals that constitute a public nuisance or fail to receive adequate care; and (2) the Michigan animal-cruelty statutes at MCL 750.50 (duty to provide adequate care) and MCL 750.50b (intentional cruelty, graded into three felony degrees after 2018 amendments). Kent County Animal Control investigators work with Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Kent County Sheriff's Office on cruelty cases.
Wyoming MI Animal Hoarding
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Wyoming Code Chapter 6 (Animals) does not codify a single fixed numerical cap on household dogs and cats but uses nuisance and dangerous-animal provisions to control over-capacity homes. The Michigan Dog Law of 1919 (MCL 287.262) continues to require each dog four months or older to be licensed annually through Kent County Animal Control, and any person breeding, boarding, or selling dogs commercially must hold a separate Kent County kennel license at the 3-10, 11-30, or 31+ dog tier. Conditions sufficient to constitute neglect or hoarding escalate to criminal charges under MCL 750.50.
Wyoming MI Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Kent County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wyoming city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Kent County →