Can I keep chickens in Douglas, MI?
Yes — Douglas allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 23 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Douglas Code of Ordinances ch. 92 (Animals), Secs. 92.30-92.34, as amended by Ord. No. 01-2026 (adopted 3-16-2026, effective 4-15-2026), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 23 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Chickens must be in a fully enclosed coop or fenced pen at all times, detached from the dwelling. The coop is an accessory structure requiring a permit and a structural drawing on file with the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Coop and pen must be set back at least 23 feet from the nearest setback of any neighboring dwelling and located in the backyard; a side yard is allowed only if fully screened, waivable in writing by the adjacent neighbor. Maximum 8 feet tall and 80 square feet total. Corrugated metal or fiberglass, sheet metal, plastic tarps and scrap lumber are prohibited materials. A rat wall or block foundation is required. Feed must be stored in sealed containers. No offensive odor beyond 10 feet. Pen fencing must be wire mesh with openings no larger than 1 inch. Single-family detached dwellings in residentially zoned districts only; no chickens on multi-family lots. Private deed restrictions and HOA covenants remain enforceable. |
| Code section | Douglas Code of Ordinances ch. 92 (Animals), Secs. 92.30-92.34, as amended by Ord. No. 01-2026 (adopted 3-16-2026, effective 4-15-2026) |
Douglas allows up to six hens, no roosters, on single-family detached residential lots with a city permit from the City Clerk. Coops and pens must sit in the backyard at least 23 feet from the nearest setback of a neighboring dwelling, capped at 8 feet tall and 80 square feet. Hens are for personal use only as pets, for eggs, or for meat for personal consumption, and slaughtering on the property is prohibited. Ordinance 01-2026, effective April 15 2026, removed the old provision letting any adjacent neighbor block a permit outright and added a right to appeal a denial to the City Council within 30 days.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Douglas?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Douglas (Douglas Code of Ordinances ch. 92 (Animals), Secs. 92.30-92.34, as amended by Ord. No. 01-2026 (adopted 3-16-2026, effective 4-15-2026)).
How many chickens can I keep in Douglas?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Douglas?
Yes — Douglas requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Douglas?
No — roosters are prohibited in Douglas.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Douglas?
23 feet minimum. Chickens must be in a fully enclosed coop or fenced pen at all times, detached from the dwelling. The coop is an accessory structure requiring a permit and a structural drawing on file with the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Coop and pen must be set back at least 23 feet from the nearest setback of any neighboring dwelling and located in the backyard; a side yard is allowed only if fully screened, waivable in writing by the adjacent neighbor. Maximum 8 feet tall and 80 square feet total. Corrugated metal or fiberglass, sheet metal, plastic tarps and scrap lumber are prohibited materials. A rat wall or block foundation is required. Feed must be stored in sealed containers. No offensive odor beyond 10 feet. Pen fencing must be wire mesh with openings no larger than 1 inch. Single-family detached dwellings in residentially zoned districts only; no chickens on multi-family lots. Private deed restrictions and HOA covenants remain enforceable.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Douglas?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Douglas's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Douglas?
Douglas Code of Ordinances ch. 92 (Animals), Secs. 92.30-92.34, as amended by Ord. No. 01-2026 (adopted 3-16-2026, effective 4-15-2026). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Douglas Code of Ordinances ch. 92 (Animals), Secs. 92.30-92.34, as amended by Ord. No. 01-2026 (adopted 3-16-2026, effective 4-15-2026) — read the official code
“First Reading: March 2, 2026. Second Reading: March 16, 2026. Date of Publication: March 26, 2026. Effective Date: April 15, 2026. ORDINANCE DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 16th DAY OF March 2026” source
“Any one applicant residing in a single-family detached structure in a residentially zoned district, after obtaining a permit from the city, may keep not more than six hen (female) chickens for personal use only and not for any business or commercial use. No chickens are allowed on a multi-family dwelling lot.” source
“Any person wanting to keep chickens within the city shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the City Clerk or their designee, before that person may legally keep chickens within the city.” source
“The coop and fenced enclosure shall be set back a minimum of 23 feet from the nearest setback of any neighboring dwelling.” source
Last verified August 16, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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