10 rules for unincorporated Ottawa County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Ottawa County does not zone, so whether you may keep chickens or livestock is set by your city or township. Michigan's Right to Farm Act preempts local rules only for commercial farms following GAAMPs, not backyard flocks in residential zones.
MCL 286.474(6)
Beginning June 1, 2000, except as otherwise provided in this section, it is the express legislative intent that this act preempt any local ordinance, regulation, or resolution that purports to extend or revise in any manner the provisions of this act or generally accepted agricultural and management practices developed under this act.
Michigan's Dog Law bars dogs from straying off the owner's premises unless leashed. Ottawa County Sheriff's Animal Control enforces licensing and at-large complaints countywide; cities like Holland and Grand Haven and townships may add stricter local leash rules.
MCL 287.262
or for any owner to allow any dog, except working dogs such as leader dogs, guard dogs, farm dogs, hunting dogs, and other such dogs, when accompanied by their owner or his authorized agent, while actively engaged in activities for which such dogs are trained, to stray unless held properly in leash.
Michigan is a deed-not-breed state. Ottawa County and its cities have no pit-bull or breed-specific ban; a dog is regulated as dangerous only by its biting or attacking conduct under the Dangerous Animals Act, MCL 287.321.
MCL 287.321(a)
"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.
Ottawa County has no county beekeeping ordinance. Hive-keeping is governed by your city or township zoning. Commercial apiaries following the state apiary GAAMP may claim Right to Farm protection outside residential zones; hobby hives follow local rules.
Michigan's Large Carnivore Act bans keeping big cats and bears as pets statewide, except pre-2000 animals held under permit. Ottawa County enforces state law; DNR permits and local zoning govern other exotic and wild animals.
MCL 287.1104(1)
A person shall not possess 1 or more large carnivores unless all of the following apply:
Ottawa County has no ordinance against backyard bird feeding, but feeding or baiting deer is banned throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula by DNR order. Some cities and townships restrict feeding that attracts nuisance wildlife.
Whether you can keep cattle, horses, goats, or hogs is set by your city or township zoning, not the county. Commercial livestock farms following GAAMPs receive Right to Farm protection; residential-zone hobby animals do not.
MCL 286.474(6)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a local unit of government shall not enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance, regulation, or resolution that conflicts in any manner with this act or generally accepted agricultural and management practices developed under this act.
Michigan's animal-cruelty law is the enforceable limit on keeping too many animals. Neglect or hoarding is prosecuted under MCL 750.50, with felony penalties when 25 or more animals are involved. Ottawa County Animal Control investigates complaints.
MCL 750.50b(2)(a)
Knowingly kill, torture, mutilate, maim, or disfigure an animal.
Ottawa County sets no countywide numeric limit on dogs or cats; any cap comes from your city or township ordinance. Every dog four months and older must be licensed with the county, and kennel-license thresholds may apply.
Ottawa County Dog Licensing (Treasurer)
All dogs must be licensed at four months of age, or within 30 days of acquisition or new residency in Ottawa County.
Michigan's Dog Law does not require cat licensing, and Ottawa County has no countywide cat leash or registration ordinance. Cat rules, if any, are set by your city or township; state cruelty and neglect laws still apply.
See every category we cover for Ottawa County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Ottawa County Ordinance Hub →