Can I keep chickens in Warren, MI?
Yes — Warren allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Warren Code Ch. 7, Art. X (Chickens), Secs. 7.111-7-114 (Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted 6-24-2025), verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Hen license from the city clerk plus a building permit for a detached accessory henhouse. Henhouse must give at least 1 sq ft per hen, four insulated walls, ventilated roof, human access door, latching chicken door, and a pen fenced in half-inch galvanized hardware cloth on all four sides and overhead. Henhouse and pen at least 10 feet from all adjacent property. Hens confined at all times and secured in the henhouse dusk to dawn. One- and two-family dwellings only. Annual license fee set by council resolution. |
| Code section | Warren Code Ch. 7, Art. X (Chickens), Secs. 7.111-7-114 (Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted 6-24-2025) |
Warren rewrote its entire animal chapter in June 2025 and now allows up to four hens, no roosters or other fowl, on one- and two-family properties. Both a hen license from the city clerk and a building permit for the henhouse are required, and the coop must sit at least 10 feet from all adjacent property. Slaughtering hens on the property is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Warren?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Warren (Warren Code Ch. 7, Art. X (Chickens), Secs. 7.111-7-114 (Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted 6-24-2025)).
How many chickens can I keep in Warren?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Warren?
Yes — Warren requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Warren?
No — roosters are prohibited in Warren.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Warren?
10 feet minimum. Hen license from the city clerk plus a building permit for a detached accessory henhouse. Henhouse must give at least 1 sq ft per hen, four insulated walls, ventilated roof, human access door, latching chicken door, and a pen fenced in half-inch galvanized hardware cloth on all four sides and overhead. Henhouse and pen at least 10 feet from all adjacent property. Hens confined at all times and secured in the henhouse dusk to dawn. One- and two-family dwellings only. Annual license fee set by council resolution.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Warren?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Warren's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Warren?
Warren Code Ch. 7, Art. X (Chickens), Secs. 7.111-7-114 (Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted 6-24-2025). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Warren Code Ch. 7, Art. X (Chickens), Secs. 7.111-7-114 (Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted 6-24-2025) — read the official code
“The amendment includes increasing the number of hens people can have from three to four” source
“Editor's note- Ord. No. 80-834, Sec. 1, adopted June 24, 2025, repealed the former Ch. 7 and enacted a new Ch. 7 as set out herein.” source
“Sec. 7-113. - Requirements. A person who owns hens and possesses a hen license must comply with the requirements of this chapter and all the following: (1) The owner must keep no more than four (4) hens, and no roosters, male chickens, or any other type of fowl.” source
“requiring chicken owners to get a permit to build an accessory structure, a chicken coop” source
Last verified August 23, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →