Overview:
- Detroit residents can now apply for licenses to keep chickens and ducks in residential areas under the city's recently enacted Urban Animal Ordinance.
- Residents can apply to keep a combination of up to eight chickens and ducks, with larger allowances for urban farms and gardens.
- Honeybee hives, while permitted, do not require a license but must adhere to zoning restrictions, including placement requirements, to minimize conflicts with neighbors.
Detroit residents can now apply for licenses to keep chickens and ducks in residential areas under the city’s recently enacted Urban Animal Ordinance. The ordinance, which took effect earlier this year, establishes regulations for small-scale animal keeping in residential areas, including limits on the number of animals, enclosure requirements, and spacing rules.
The city began accepting applications on Jan. 31, 2025, through the Detroit Animal Care and Control Division. As of mid-February, five applications had been submitted, according to Patrice Brown, Associate Director of Urban Agriculture, which is overseeing the rollout alongside Animal Control and the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department.
Brown emphasized the importance of residents understanding the new licensing process. She noted that the city’s goal is to support responsible animal keeping while ensuring compliance with regulations.
“It’s important that people familiarize themselves with the ordinance and gather all necessary documents before applying,” Brown said. “We want to make sure this is a smooth process for everyone involved.”
Residents can apply to keep a combination of up to eight chickens and ducks, with larger allowances for urban farms and gardens. Roosters are prohibited. Honeybee hives, while permitted, do not require a license but must adhere to zoning restrictions, including placement requirements, to minimize conflicts with neighbors.
How to apply for a license
To apply for an Animal Husbandry License, residents must:
- Complete the license application – Available online through Detroit Animal Care and Control.
- Submit required documentation, including:
- Proof of property ownership (deed)
- A plot plan showing the intended location of enclosures
- Structural descriptions of animal housing
- Pay the annual licensing fee – $50 for chickens and ducks (no fee for beekeeping).
- Await approval from city departments – BSEED, Animal Control, and the Urban Agriculture Division will review applications for compliance with zoning and health regulations.
- Pass an initial inspection – Animal Control will verify that enclosures and spacing meet city requirements before issuing final approval.
Residents may apply for a license here.
License renewal and inspections
The license must be renewed annually, but applicants will not need to resubmit all documents after the initial approval. Regular inspections are not required; additional visits may occur if a neighbor files a complaint.
“Once they have been inspected, we don’t plan to do any surprise inspections from the City of Detroit,” Brown confirmed.
The city holds weekly office hours to assist applicants, during which city officials can answer questions about the licensing process.
Also, a newly forming community group, the Animal Guild, aims to provide education, advocacy, and support for responsible animal keeping.
The guild, led by local urban agriculture advocates, includes Keep Growing Detroit, the Detroit Food Policy Council, and other local urban agriculture leaders. Brown said the guild will serve as a liaison between residents and the city.
“We want to empower the community with knowledge and resources,” said Brown. “The Animal Guild will be a support system for new and existing animal keepers.”
Brown also stressed the importance of community communication to ease tensions around keeping animals.
“The ordinance says that animal keepers need to communicate with their neighbors. You do not have to get a sign-off or a signature from your neighbor,” she said. “But you need to communicate with your neighbors and let them know what you’re doing.”
Health and safety
Residents planning to keep honeybees are encouraged to install flyaway barriers, such as fences or vegetation, to help direct bee flight patterns away from neighboring properties.
“When I first saw a flyaway barrier in use, I was surprised at how effective it was in minimizing interactions between bees and neighbors,” Brown said. “It’s an important practice for ensuring peaceful coexistence.”
With growing concerns about avian influenza, Brown said the city’s Health Department will provide safety guidance for chicken and duck keepers. While no specific emergency protocols are written into the ordinance, officials are prepared to issue public health guidance if necessary.
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