Over the last few years, raising chickens has become a popular hobby — but depending on where you live in Livingston County, owning a flock could be in violation of local ordinances.
Chickens have been a recurring hot topic in Fowlerville for years. Residents have made multiple pushes for flocks to be allowed in the village since 2015, but so far, none have succeeded.
Brighton Township recently broached the topic of loosening restrictions in the municipality. For now, residents must have at least five acres of land to own chickens.
Here’s a breakdown of other local jurisdictions:
City of Brighton
According to city ordinance, fowl must be kept 200 feet (a little less than an acre) away from any dwelling, except the dwelling of the owner. The owner may not allow them to run in any street or public place.
The owner is required to maintain the home of the fowl to prevent smells or disruptive noises.
Residents have pointed out that most city properties aren’t large enough to make this ordinance realistic.
Green Oak Township
Green Oak Township’s ordinance is a bit more restrictive. Keeping “livestock maintained on a farm” is only allowed on properties zoned as rural estates and residential farming. The restriction does not apply to horses or domesticated household pets.
Genoa Township
Genoa prohibits keeping livestock in all zoning districts except agricultural, country estates and rural residential.
For chickens, turkeys or rabbits, the minimum lot area for the first animal is two acres. Each additional animal requires an extra 0.05 acres.
All grazing areas must be fenced, a structure must be provided to house the animals, and that structure must be set back at least 100 feet from any occupied dwelling or public building.
Hamburg Township
Hamburg Township has an ordinance specifically related to poultry. On land zoned waterfront residential or natural river, keeping poultry is only permitted on plots bigger than two acres. They must be kept in a fenced area at least 100 feet away from any water.
All lots larger than two acres may have up to 16 poultry animals, as well as another 16 for every additional acre. Those properties are also allowed to keep roosters, which are notably noisier than hens.
On lots less than two acres, owners are limited to eight poultry animals. The ordinance details several other restrictions on placement of structures, health and public safety, sanitation and public nuisance.
City of Howell
Howell residents are required to get a permit, as well as written consent from adjacent properties, in order to keep chickens. The property must be a single-family residence and isn’t allowed to have more than six chickens. They cannot keep roosters and cannot slaughter any of the chickens.
The chickens must have a covered enclosure and a fenced-in area. The enclosure must be well ventilated, lockable and kept clean and sanitary.
The covered and fenced enclosures cannot be closer than 10 feet to any property line and cannot be closer than 40 feet to any residential structure on an adjacent property.
This article originally appeared on Farmers Advance: Where in Livingston County can you raise a flock of chickens? What to know
Reporting by Tess Ware / Farmers Advance
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