Can I keep chickens in Southfield, MI?
Yes — Southfield allows backyard chickens, up to 12 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 50 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Southfield City Code Sec. 9.76 (Keeping other animals (other than pets)), Ch. 113 Animals, Title IX (Ord. No. 1754, 8-25-2022; Ord. No. 1805, Sec. 1, 2-24-2025), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 12 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 50 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Permit application to the city clerk with a fee set by council resolution, plus an inspection scheduled with the planning department within 30 days of issuance. Maximum 12 hens. No roosters or other typically noisy fowl. Coop no larger than 80 sq ft and no taller than 8 ft. Animals must be housed in an accessory building, never inside a residence. No animal within 50 feet of any dwelling other than the owner, none in a front yard or within 10 feet of a side or rear lot line, and fencing must exclude animals from within 20 feet of side or rear property lines. Feed in sealed vermin-resistant containers. Slaughter prohibited. |
| Code section | Southfield City Code Sec. 9.76 (Keeping other animals (other than pets)), Ch. 113 Animals, Title IX (Ord. No. 1754, 8-25-2022; Ord. No. 1805, Sec. 1, 2-24-2025) |
Southfield permits backyard fowl under a dedicated section of its animal code, capped at twelve birds with no roosters. A permit from the city clerk and an inspection within 30 days are both required, and the coop is limited to 80 square feet and 8 feet in height. Enclosures must be at least 50 feet from any dwelling other than the owner and 10 feet off side and rear lot lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Southfield?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Southfield (Southfield City Code Sec. 9.76 (Keeping other animals (other than pets)), Ch. 113 Animals, Title IX (Ord. No. 1754, 8-25-2022; Ord. No. 1805, Sec. 1, 2-24-2025)).
How many chickens can I keep in Southfield?
Up to 12 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Southfield?
Yes — Southfield requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Southfield?
No — roosters are prohibited in Southfield.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Southfield?
50 feet minimum. Permit application to the city clerk with a fee set by council resolution, plus an inspection scheduled with the planning department within 30 days of issuance. Maximum 12 hens. No roosters or other typically noisy fowl. Coop no larger than 80 sq ft and no taller than 8 ft. Animals must be housed in an accessory building, never inside a residence. No animal within 50 feet of any dwelling other than the owner, none in a front yard or within 10 feet of a side or rear lot line, and fencing must exclude animals from within 20 feet of side or rear property lines. Feed in sealed vermin-resistant containers. Slaughter prohibited.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Southfield?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Southfield's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Southfield?
Southfield City Code Sec. 9.76 (Keeping other animals (other than pets)), Ch. 113 Animals, Title IX (Ord. No. 1754, 8-25-2022; Ord. No. 1805, Sec. 1, 2-24-2025). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Southfield City Code Sec. 9.76 (Keeping other animals (other than pets)), Ch. 113 Animals, Title IX (Ord. No. 1754, 8-25-2022; Ord. No. 1805, Sec. 1, 2-24-2025) — read the official code
“Yes. Just two chickens will supply about a dozen tasty eggs each week to a family home. In an urban setting, it is recommended to start with two or three hens.” source
“(2) Backyard fowl. Backyard fowl, in addition to the general standards above, the keeping of backyard fowl shall also meet these standards: a. No roosters or other fowl that are typically noisy shall be permitted. ... c. Maximum number of twelve (12). d. Maximum coop size: eighty (80) square feet. e. Maximum coop height: eight (8) feet.” source
“g. Submit permit application to the city clerk's office with the fee which shall be established by city council resolution. Permit holders shall schedule an inspection with the city planning department within the first thirty (30) days after permit issuance.” source
“Roosters not mentioned as permitted in Chapter 113 regulations; common practice prohibits them” source
Last verified August 23, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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