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Compare on Amazon →Backyard Chickens in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chickens are legal in Ann Arbor — here's exactly what the ordinance requires.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Ann Arbor, Michigan?
Yes — subject to local rules
- Hen limit
- Up to 6 hens
- Roosters
- Not allowed
- Permit
- Required — $55 for the 5-year permit listed on the city's 2025 application
- Setback
- Covered and fenced enclosures must be at least 10 ft from adjacent property lines and 40 ft from residential structures on adjacent property; the 40-ft requirement may be waived with the required written consent.
- Zoning
- Up to 6 chickens, ducks, or a combination may be kept at a qualifying single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or primary or secondary school, generally in the rear yard.
Last verified: July 2026
View Ann Arbor ordinance ↗Ordinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
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What the Ann Arbor Rules Say
Ann Arbor allows up to 6 chickens, ducks, or a combination of the two with a city permit. The allowance applies to qualifying single-family and two-family dwellings and primary or secondary schools. Roosters are prohibited.
The city’s 2025 application lists a $55 fee and a 5-year permit term. It requires a property diagram showing the enclosures and their distances from neighboring homes and property lines.
What This Means in Plain English
Plan for no more than 6 birds total and obtain the permit before acquiring them. The birds generally must be housed in a covered or fenced enclosure in the rear yard.
The enclosure must be at least 10 feet from adjacent property lines and 40 feet from a residence on adjacent property. The 40-foot residential setback may be waived with the written consent required by the city, but the 10-foot property-line setback remains.
Practical Considerations
Diagram the Property
The application asks for a diagram showing each proposed enclosure and its distance from property lines and neighboring residential structures. Measure before buying or building a coop.
Written Waivers
If the enclosure cannot meet the 40-foot residential setback, review the city’s waiver form. Required adjacent owners and, when applicable, occupants of a two-family dwelling must provide written consent.
Private Restrictions
A city permit does not override a lease, deed restriction, condominium document, or neighborhood covenant that prohibits chickens.
Getting Started
- Confirm that the property is an eligible dwelling or school.
- Choose a rear-yard location at least 10 feet from adjacent property lines.
- Measure the distance to residences on adjacent properties.
- Complete the city diagram and any necessary waiver-consent forms.
- Apply and keep no more than 6 birds, with no roosters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have chickens in Ann Arbor?
Yes. Ann Arbor allows up to 6 permitted chickens, ducks, or a combination of both at qualifying properties.
Do I need a permit?
Yes. The city requires a permit before acquiring the birds.
Can I keep a rooster or slaughter chickens at home?
No. Roosters and on-site slaughter are prohibited.
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After checking the rules
Next Steps for Ann Arbor Chicken Keepers
Verification Notice
This page was last verified against Ann Arbor's municipal code in July 2026. Ordinances change — always confirm current rules with your local city clerk before purchasing birds or building a coop.
View Ann Arbor Municipal Code ↗Get Backyard Chicken Updates for Michigan
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