7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Oakland County does not directly regulate backyard chickens or livestock at the county level. Each of the 62 cities, villages, and townships sets its own rules under their local zoning code, and rules vary widely across the county.
Under the Michigan Dog Law (MCL 287.262), enforced county-wide by Oakland County Animal Control, no dog may stray from the owner's premises unless held properly in a leash. Most Oakland County municipalities additionally cap leash length at 6 feet.
MCL 287.262 (Michigan Dog Law of 1919)
It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog 6 months old or over, unless the dog is licensed as hereinafter provided, or to own any dog 6 months old or over that does not at all times wear a collar with a tag approved by the director of agriculture, attached as hereinafter provided, except when engaged in lawful hunting accompanied by his owner or custodian … or for any owner of any fema...
Oakland County does not ban any dog breed. Dangerous-dog determinations are made under MCL 287.321 et seq. based on individual behavior — biting a person or attacking another dog — not breed.
MCL 287.321(a) (PA 426 of 1988)
'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. However, a dangerous animal does not include any of the following: (i) An animal that bites or attacks a person who is knowingly trespassing on the property of the...
Oakland County does not regulate beekeeping. Michigan's Apiary Law (MCL 286.501 et seq., Act 412 of 1976) governs the state, with no apiary registration required and no statewide hive-location limits. Local zoning controls placement.
Michigan's Large Carnivore Act (MCL 287.1101 et seq.) bans private ownership of lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, panthers, jaguars, and bears statewide — directly enforceable in Oakland County. Acquiring a new large carnivore is prohibited; grandfathered animals require permits.
MCL 287.1102(g) and 287.1103(1)(a)
'Large carnivore' means any of the following: (i) Any of the following cats of the Felidae family, whether wild or captive bred, including a hybrid cross with such a cat: (A) A lion. (B) A leopard, including, but not limited to, a snow leopard. (C) A jaguar. (D) A tiger. (E) A cougar. (F) A panther. (G) A cheetah. (ii) A bear of a species that is native or nonnative to this state, whether wild ...
Oakland County is in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, where the Michigan Natural Resources Commission's Wildlife Conservation Order bans baiting and feeding of deer and elk year-round (in effect since January 31, 2019) to control Chronic Wasting Disease.
Oakland County does not zone livestock at the county level — each township or city controls horses, cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep through its zoning code. The county does enforce the statewide Dog Law (MCL 287.262) requiring all dogs 4+ months old to be licensed annually.
MCL 287.266 and 287.262 (Michigan Dog Law of 1919)
The owner of a dog 4 months old or over shall apply to the county treasurer of the county in which the dog is kept or to the treasurer of the city, village, or township in which the dog is kept for a license for the dog. … It shall be unlawful for any person to own any dog 6 months old or over, unless the dog is licensed as hereinafter provided.
1 cities in Oakland County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Oakland County Ordinance Hub →