Raising Chickens at Home

Thinking about getting chickens? If so, you are not alone. In the past 5 years, raising chickens have gained in popularity.  In many cases, people who live in urban area are interested in raising chickens to help reduce their environmental impact. Even with this increase in the number of chicken owners throughout the state, each municipality has their own rules and regulations and it is important to know and understand the rules before starting your own flock.

All information below is deemed reliable however not guaranteed.  Before purchasing any property with the intent of raising chickens or any other type of livestock, call the local municipality where the home is located to independently investigate and verify the rules and regulations. Different regions, cities, towns, neighborhood have different rules and they change on a regular basis.

Addison Township - (restricted to zoned areas, acreage limit)

Auburn Hills - (specific chicken ordinance) 6 or less, with permit

Clawson -  No more than 4 hens, per household with a permit

Berkley – No more than 3 hens for personal use with permit 

Chelsea - 4 hens per parcel with permit required

Clawson – No more than 4 hens per household with permit

Davisburg – Minimum 1.5 acres for the first chicken and a quarter acre for each chicken thereafter.

Farmington Hills – Must be 175 Feet from any dwelling other than the dwelling of the owner

Ferndale - 3 hens allowed with permit 

Groveland Township – No more than 10 hens on 10 acres of less and must be kept in a fenced area in the backyard. Other restrictions apply

Harrison Township -  Cannot keep chickens – Call Township for additional information

Hazel Park – No limit but a permit is required

Holly Township – Must have adequate fencing…fenced areas shall be located no nearer then 25 feet from any dwelling which exists on an adjacent lot.

Holly Village - 3 chickens allowed

Independence Township - (class 3 animal) Minimum of (3) acres and (1) additional class 3 animal per each 1/10 acre

Lathrup Village - No more than 3 hens with permit and restrictions

Madison Heights – Up to 6 hens allowed with permit required

Oak Park – 2 hens with permit

Oxford - 4 hens per residential address with permit required. No roosters

Pontiac – Not allowed to keep or possess chickens

Rochester Hills - 1 or More acres can 12 chickens

Royal Oak – Permit required. Contact City for more information

Southfield – Must be within one hundred seventy-five feet of any dwelling of the owner, or to permit any fowl owner by him/her.

Springfield Township – Minimum 1.5 acres for the first chicken and a quarter acre for each chicken thereafter

Troy – Permit required. If the property is less than ¾ acre, a waiver from the board of appeals is required

Waterford Township - Minimum of 5 acres for chickens. If less than 5 acres, must get special approval (Zoning Ordinance Sec III, Page 11)

West Bloomfield - No specific restriction other than keeping them confined to your property

Cities that DO NOT allow chickens and fowl include Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Romeo, Shelby Township, St Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, and Utica.

All information above is deemed reliable however not guaranteed.  Before purchasing any property with the intent of raising chickens or any other type of livestock, call the local municipality where the home is located to independently investigate and verify the rules and regulations. Different regions, cities, towns, neighborhood have different rules and they change on a regular basis.