Animal Ordinances in Ottawa County, MI (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Ottawa County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Ottawa County does not license backyard chickens or livestock, but it does ban letting them roam: Section 300.1.6.3 requires anyone who owns or has custody of livestock or poultry to keep the animals off public or private property they don't have consent to be on. Leading or driving livestock along a public highway under supervision is specifically exempt.
Ottawa County Livestock At-Large Rule
Some RestrictionsCode of Ottawa County § 300.1.6.3
300.1.6.3 Stray Livestock: A person who owns or has custody or control of livestock or poultry shall prevent such animals from running at large on public or private property without the consent of the property owner, provided, however, that this Section shall not prohibit leading or driving livestock, under the owner's or custodian's supervision, along a public highway.
Dog Leash Laws
Ottawa County's Animal Control Ordinance requires anyone who owns or has custody of a dog to keep it from running at large, and to restrain it with a lead or leash no longer than six feet whenever it leaves the owner's property. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Animal Control Officer enforces the rule countywide, except where a city or township runs its own animal control ordinance.
Ottawa County Leash Law: 6-Foot Limit
Some RestrictionsCode of Ottawa County § 300.1.6.1
300.1.6.1 Dogs Running Stray: A person who owns or has custody or control of a dog shall prevent the dog from running at large. A person who owns or has custody or control of a dog 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.
Exotic Pets
Ottawa County bans keeping any exotic animal that is objectively a hazard to the community because of a threat to safety or of disease. Section 300.1.8.4 defines an exotic animal as one native to a foreign country and not native to any U.S. state, and a violation can bring a misdemeanor charge, not just a civil fine.
Ottawa County Exotic Animal Ban
Significant RestrictionsCode of Ottawa County § 300.1.8.4
300.1.8.4 Exotic Animals: No person shall keep any exotic animal or type of animal which are objectively a hazard to the community because of a threat to safety or of disease. For purposes of this subsection, "exotic animal" means any animal that is native to a foreign country and is not native to any state of the United States.
All Ottawa County ordinances
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