Michigan Right to Farm Act — Strong Local Preemption

MRTFA (MCL §286.471 et seq.) shields commercial farm operations from nuisance lawsuits and local regulations when they follow Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) issued by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. Section 4(6) preempts local ordinances that conflict with the Act or GAAMPs. A 2014 amendment to the Site Selection GAAMP withdrew Right to Farm protection from livestock on land zoned primarily residential, returning regulatory authority over backyard livestock to municipalities in those zones. Commercial operations on ag-zoned land remain strongly protected against ordinances banning roosters, manure handling, or odors. Non-commercial backyard chickens are NOT covered.

Local ordinances that conflict with the Act are unenforceable against qualifying commercial farms; courts have awarded attorney fees to farmers asserting MRTFA defenses. Farmers operating outside GAAMPs lose statutory protection and face all local rules and nuisance claims.