Animal Husbandry and Beekeeping
Growing a Sustainable & Healthy Future for Our City
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & BEEKEEPING Detroit allows residents to keep small farm animals and honeybeesto support urban agriculture and food security. But rules andlicenses apply to ensure safety and cleanliness in our city.
Chapter 6: Division 1 Section 6-8-1 through 6-8-14,
and Division 2 Section 6-8-31 through 6-8-39
Quick Facts:
- You can keep up to 8 chickens and/or ducks at home.
- You can have up to 4 beehives at home.
- Special rules apply for urban gardens and farms.
- Licenses are required!
What is Zoning?
The rules for what you can or cannot do with your property. Every parcel of land has a zoning classification.
Rules and Guidelines
To keep our city safe and clean, there are rules on how many animals you can keep and where they can be housed.
Fencing is required!
Chickens & Ducks
- Homes: Up to 8 total (chickens + ducks).
- Gardens & Farms: Up to 12 total (no roosters).
- Setbacks (Space Requirements):
- 30 feet from neighbors' homes
- 5 feet from the side property line
- 5 feet from the back if no alley
Honey Bee Hives
- Homes: Up to 4 hives
- Urban Gardens (½ acre+): Up to 6 hives
- Urban Farms (1 acre+): Up to 8 hives (plus1 extra per acre)
- Setbacks:
- 25 feet from property line if no flyway barrier
- 5 feet with a flyway barrier
Slaughter
Short term approach
- Fuzzy
- Legs are usually not visible in flight
- Gentle and rarely sting
- Pollinate our plants
- Eat pollen and nectar
- Produce honey
- Little to no hair
- Legs hang when flying
- Can be aggressive and may sting
- Eat other insects
- Keeps pests in controls
How to Get a License
Check Your Property Requirements
Make sure your yard, garden, or farm meets the setback rules listed above.
Apply Online
Animal Husbandry & Beekeeping License: Apply Here
Submit Any Required Plans
You may need a plot plan showing where your coop, hives, or fencing will go. Example Plot Plan: View Here
Wait for Approval
Once approved, you will receive your license and can start raising animals or bees!
Growing a Sustainable & Healthy Future for Our City
- Land Based Projects
- Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department
- Detroit Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 61
- Animal Husbandry Ordinance, Chapter 6
