Animal Ordinances in Kent County, MI (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Kent County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kent County does not zone livestock. Whether you may keep horses, cattle, goats, or sheep is set by your city or township under Michigan's Zoning Enabling Act. The county only requires owners to keep livestock from running at large.
Livestock Zoning Is Municipal; County Bars Stray Livestock
Some RestrictionsKent County Animal Control Ordinance, Section 11(f)
Stray Livestock. The Owner or Custodian of livestock or poultry shall prevent such animals from running at large on public or private property without consent of the property owner provided, however that this section shall not prohibit leading or driving livestock, under the Owner or Custodian's supervision, along a public highway.
Dog Leash Laws
Kent County's Animal Control Ordinance requires every dog off the owner's property to be restrained on a lead or leash no longer than six feet, and prohibits owners from letting a dog run at large countywide.
Kent County Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsKent County Animal Control Ordinance, Section 11(a)-(b)
An Owner or Custodian shall, at any time the dog is off that Person's property, restrain the dog with a lead or leash no greater than six (6) feet in length... An Owner or Custodian shall not permit or enable his/her dog or Animal to Run at Large.
Breed Restrictions
Kent County doesn't regulate dogs by breed; instead its Animal Control Ordinance bans letting any dog or animal menace, attack or bite a person or another animal, Section 11(c). Owners must report bites within 24 hours, and a biting animal is quarantined under state law. Violations carry a $100 to $200 civil infraction fine.
Dangerous Dog Behavior Rules in Kent County
Some RestrictionsKent County Animal Control Ordinance, Section 11(c)
An Owner or Custodian shall not intentionally, or by failure to exercise due care, allow his/her dog or Animal to menace, attack or bite a person or other Animal in a place where the person or other Animal is legally entitled to be. "Menace" shall include, but not be limited to, charging, scratching, toppling, teeth-baring, snapping, growling, or other predatory mannerisms, directed at a person...
Exotic Pets
Michigan law bans keeping large carnivores (big cats, bears) and wolf-dog hybrids as pets, with narrow grandfathered exceptions. Kent County adds no separate exotic-pet ordinance, so the statewide bans control.
Large Carnivores and Wolf-Dogs Banned Under Michigan Law
Some RestrictionsMCL 287.1103
A person shall not do any of the following: (a) Own or possess a large carnivore except in compliance with this act.
Pet Limits
Kent County sets no general household pet cap, but any establishment keeping three or more dogs for sale, boarding, breeding, or training for pay is a 'kennel' requiring a county kennel license. Ordinary pet-number limits come from your city or township.
Kennel License Required at Three or More Dogs
Some RestrictionsKent County Animal Control Ordinance, Section 6(j)
"Kennel" means an establishment wherein or whereon 3 or more dogs are confined and kept for sale, boarding, breeding or training purposes, for remuneration.
Animal Ordinances by City in Kent County
2 cities in Kent County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Kent County ordinances
See every category we cover for Kent County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Kent County Ordinance Hub →