SouthEast Michigan: Where can you raise chickens and where can you not

[michickenwrangler]

Saline/Ann Arbor you can have them. Farmington you can have them if you keep the coop 175 feet from neighbor's house (would have to have a huge lot or acreage for that). Have you checked out www.municode.com ? Try it.

 

[leasmom]

Thanks. I did try it but got a little confused-

So, I just called the city of Romulus and asked. They had me call the Animal Shelter and I told them I wanted to move there but I needed to know if backyard chickens were allowed. They are but they have to be cooped, which mine are. They're not allowed into a subdivision but we'll get a single home like we have now, rented...but single home. I just hope to find a house there next year that will suit us!!!

Also, if anyone else would chime in on where they live and where its allowed that would be great!!!

 

[keliejc]

Here in Waterford Township you need to have 2 acres, which I have. I've heard that Rochester now allows people to keep chickens. I think more townships need to become agreeable to chicken ownership, especially in this economy. In a way, having chickens is like planting a two-legged "victory garden" - remember those?

 

[fullhouse]

Grosse Ile! Excellent schools and reasonable taxes. Lot size would depend on budget. 3.something acres with a decent house (2400 sq ft 60's colonial) and a huge pole barn is about 400k, but houses with an acre start as low as 200. We have a community farm with riding, sailing, golf, public green space and trails, and tons of kids activities. About 30-40min to downtown. I have worked in both downtown and new center and commuted from here. I have kids in school here and went to school here, as did dh.

 

[Mom 2em All]

well, don't come to Taylor.
Chickens aren't allowed.
Schools leave alot to be desired, though I do believe the schools are better than Romulus.
I am amazed that chickens are allowed in Livonia and in Romulus, and in Gross Ille (my boss lives in Gross Ille and has a pig and two llamas).
What did they mean by subdivision in Romulus? Houses in subdivisions usually are single-family homes. Taylor borders Romulus- why can't I have chickens?

Brownstown is pretty nice, too. You may want to check there.
Thats where my brother-in-law with the farm (cows and pigs) lives.

 

[phunkymama]

i'm living in livonia and have a chicken. i just got a notice today that i have to get rid of her. what are the laws here??

 

[DtroitChknLvr]

Phunky;

You need to stand up for your rights! I checked and I can't find any ordinances prohibiting owning Chickens in Livonia; You should double check, but the only thing that comes up is under slaughtering and in another section on selling chicks, eggs, rabbits, etc.

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13598&sid=22\\



If you're not slaughtering your chickens, you have a shot there.....the sooner you get on it, the sooner you can help the ordinance pass to allow chickens before they "dis-allow" them on you....in that case, grandfathering your chickens in may be at risk.....

 

[DtroitChknLvr]

Just realized my link didn't work....at any rate, Livonia uses Municode.com for their online ordinance info.

 

[leasmom]

The only laws in Livonia on both the city's website and municode is no selling...we have the turkey farm here and other people have chickens too...even Redford allows chickens.

 

[tororider]

Most code enforcement agents don't know and assume that chickens aren't allowed. You should check out Michigan right to farm act, from what little looking I have done, it allows you to have chickens anywhere no matter what city you are in. Just a thought.