Animal Ordinances in Oakland County, MI (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Oakland County Livestock Keeping and Dog License Requirement
Some RestrictionsMCL 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.
Dog Leash Laws
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.
Oakland County Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsMCL 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...
Breed Restrictions
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.
Oakland County Dangerous Dog Determination (No Breed Ban)
Heavy RestrictionsMCL 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...
Exotic Pets
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.
Oakland County Exotic Pet and Large Carnivore Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMCL 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 ...
Animal Ordinances by City in Oakland County
1 cities in Oakland County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Oakland County ordinances
See every category we cover for Oakland County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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