10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Genesee County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Genesee County itself sets no chicken or livestock rule. In Michigan, cities and townships zone this. The Right to Farm Act (MCL 286.471+) does not protect residential-zone livestock, so local ordinances control backyard chickens.
Genesee County Animal Control enforces Michigan's state leash law: dogs may not run at large. Under MCL 287.262, dogs 6 months or older must be licensed, and unlicensed dogs may not stray unless properly held in leash.
MCL 287.262
It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog 6 months old or over, unless the dog is licensed... to allow any dog, except working dogs... while actively engaged in activities for which such dogs are trained, to stray unless held properly in leash.
Genesee County has no breed-specific ban. Michigan regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed, under MCL 287.321. Any breed-specific rule would come from a city or township ordinance, so check locally.
MCL 287.321
"Dangerous animal" means a dog or other animal that bites or attacks a person, or a dog that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog while the other dog is on the property or under the control of its owner.
Genesee County sets no beekeeping ordinance. In Michigan, hives are governed by local zoning and the Right to Farm Act's apiary GAAMP; residential-zone (Category 4) beekeeping is not RTFA-protected, so your city or township decides.
Genesee County sets no general exotic-pet ordinance. Michigan bans possessing large carnivores (big cats, bears, wolf hybrids) under state law (MCL 287.1101+). Other exotics are regulated by your city or township.
Genesee County has no general wildlife-feeding ordinance. Michigan restricts baiting and feeding of deer statewide through DNR rules, and cities or townships may ban feeding that creates a nuisance.
Genesee County sets no livestock ordinance. Cities and townships zone livestock under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. The Right to Farm Act protects only commercial farms, not residential-zone hobby animals.
Genesee County Animal Control investigates cruelty and neglect complaints and enforces Michigan's animal-cruelty laws (MCL 750.50). Hoarding cases involving neglect are handled under state cruelty statutes, not a separate county code.
Genesee County sets no countywide cap on how many pets you may own. Pet-number limits are set by individual cities and townships through their local animal or zoning ordinances, so check your municipality.
MCL 287.266
The owner of a dog that is 4 or more months old shall apply to the treasurer of the county... for a license for each dog owned or kept by him or her.
Michigan's Dog Law licensing and leash requirements apply to dogs, not cats, so Genesee County does not license cats. Cat limits, roaming, and nuisance rules are set by individual cities and townships.
1 cities in Genesee County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Genesee County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Genesee County Ordinance Hub →