Are Chickens Allowed in Livonia, Michigan?

BySusan Medlin

If you’re thinking of keeping backyard chickens in Livonia, Michigan, the situation isn’t completely clear cut — there are indications that it’s allowed under certain conditions, but the local ordinances don’t spell everything out clearly. Below is what I found so far, plus what you’ll want to double-check before bringing home any hens.

What I Found Out

  • According to various sources, chickens are allowed in Livonia — but only on lots that are ½ acre or larger.
  • Roosters are not permitted.
  • The exact limits — how many chickens, coop size, setbacks from property lines or neighbors — are unclear or not well defined in available sources.
  • Livonia’s zoning ordinance (Vision 21, etc.) mentions that “poultry raising” is considered a “general farming activity” in rural/agricultural zones. But whether residential lots (especially smaller ones) fall under those zones is another matter.

What Is Not Clear / What to Confirm

  • There’s no clear published Livonia Ordinance snippet that says “X number of hens allowed on Y size lot” with all the details (setbacks, coop dimensions, etc.).
  • “½ acre or more” appears to be a threshold from third-party summaries, not a confirmed, fully detailed part of the current Livonia municipal code.
  • There’s ambiguity on whether a permit or inspection is required, whether there are rules about where the coop must be placed, what sort of structure is required, etc.
  • Local enforcement or how strictly this is regulated may vary depending on zoning, neighborhood, and whether complaints are raised by neighbors.

What to Do to Be Sure

If you want to keep chickens in Livonia, here are steps you should take so you stay on the right side of the rules:

  • Check the zoning for your property. See if it is in a Rural or Agricultural zone (or similar), since poultry raising tends to be more acceptable in those areas. If you’re in a standard residential zone, there may be restrictions.
  • Contact Livonia’s Planning & Zoning Department directly and ask whether backyard chickens are allowed for your lot size (especially if your lot is ~½ acre or larger). Ask about any required permits, setbacks, and coop-structure rules.
  • Check the Livonia Code of Ordinances (online via Municode or the city’s site) for sections on animals, poultry, and accessory structures. You may find something in “Keeping Wild Animals, Birds, and Bees” or equivalent titles.
  • Talk to your neighbors or homeowners association (if applicable). Even if allowed by the city, there may be neighborhood covenants, agreements, or rules that interfere.
  • Make sure any coop you build keeps animals clean, prevents nuisance (smell, noise, pests), and respects setbacks from property lines or other dwellings. This helps avoid complaints or enforcement actions.

Summary

Yes — chickens may be allowed in Livonia, but only under specific conditions, and with limitations. If your lot is large enough (around ½ acre), and you only keep hens (no roosters), you seem to be in safer territory. However, many of the rules (how many chickens, coop design, where it can be placed) are not clearly spelled out in the public sources, so you’ll need to check with the city to get precise guidance.

If you want, I can pull up the actual ordinance text from Livonia that deals with poultry and chicken keeping (if there is one) so you can see exactly what the law says for your address. Would you like me to do that?