16 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Wayne County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Detroit allows up to 8 backyard chickens with permits since 2017. Most Wayne County suburbs including Livonia and Dearborn prohibit chickens. Unincorporated townships follow Michigan Right to Farm Act.
Michigan state law requires dogs to be leashed or under owner control in public. Wayne County cities enforce 6-foot leash limits in parks. Off-leash is allowed only at designated dog parks like Detroit Riverwalk.
Wayne County does not impose breed-specific legislation. Detroit lifted its pit bull restrictions years ago. Michigan MCL 287.321 regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed.
Michigan Apiary Act MCL 286.431 governs beekeeping statewide. Detroit allows urban beekeeping with registered hives. Most Wayne County suburbs allow beekeeping with setback and hive count limits.
Michigan DNR regulates exotic pet ownership statewide. Wolf-dog hybrids restricted. Large carnivores require MDNR permits. MCL §750.50 animal cruelty applies. Wayne County Animal Control enforces in unincorporated areas.
Michigan DNR prohibits deer baiting and feeding statewide due to chronic wasting disease (CWD). Wayne County cities ban feeding of raccoons, geese, and deer to reduce nuisance wildlife and bird flu risk.
Wayne County cities generally prohibit cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats in residential zones. Michigan Right to Farm Act protects commercial livestock in agricultural zones of rural townships like Sumpter and Huron.
Wayne County Animal Services (WCAS) investigates hoarding under Michigan animal cruelty statute MCL 750.50. Hoarding cases trigger seizure when conditions endanger animal welfare or public health.
Wayne County does not cap household pets, but most cities within (Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, Canton) limit dogs and cats to three to five animals per residential property under zoning rules.
Wayne County does not require county-wide cat licensing, but cities like Detroit and Dearborn impose registration. Free-roaming cats fall under nuisance ordinances and trespass statutes.
Wayne County does not mandate spay/neuter, but WCAS sterilizes all adopted animals before release. State law (MCL 287.338a) requires shelters to sterilize prior to adoption.
Microchipping is voluntary in Wayne County but strongly encouraged by WCAS. All adoptable animals from county shelters receive chips registered to new owners before release.
Coyotes inhabit suburban Wayne County including Livonia, Canton, and Grosse Pointe. Michigan DNR manages population; lethal removal requires permits except when livestock or pets are threatened.
Michigan PA 132 of 2016 (MCL 287.1101) regulates pet shops; some Wayne County cities including Royal Oak ban retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced from commercial breeders.
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 703) plus Michigan's Wildlife Conservation Order protect most native birds. Disturbing nests or possessing feathers without permits violates federal and state law.
Michigan DNR requires permits for anyone caring for injured wildlife. Possessing native birds, mammals, or reptiles without authorization violates state law (MCL 324.40111).
4 cities in Wayne County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Wayne County Ordinance Hub →