Can I keep chickens in Farmington Hills, MI?
Yes, with conditions — Farmington Hills allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 175 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Farmington Hills Code Sec. 6-4, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 175 ft |
| Coop rules | No animal or fowl may be kept within 175 ft of any dwelling other than the owner's; animals may not run at large. Owners who cannot meet the 175-ft rule may seek a zoning board of appeals variance (property owners within 500 ft get mailed notice). |
| Code section | Farmington Hills Code Sec. 6-4 |
Farmington Hills does not ban chickens outright, but Sec. 6-4 makes them impractical on most lots: no fowl may be kept within 175 feet of any dwelling other than the owner's. There is no hen limit or permit program; the only relief is a zoning board of appeals variance with notice to neighbors within 500 feet.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Farmington Hills?
Yes, with conditions — Farmington Hills allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Farmington Hills Code Sec. 6-4).
How many chickens can I keep in Farmington Hills?
It depends on your lot. Fowl may not be kept within 175 ft of any dwelling other than the owner's - effectively prohibitive on typical lots. No hen count or permit scheme; relief requires a zoning board of appeals variance.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Farmington Hills?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Farmington Hills.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Farmington Hills?
175 feet minimum. No animal or fowl may be kept within 175 ft of any dwelling other than the owner's; animals may not run at large. Owners who cannot meet the 175-ft rule may seek a zoning board of appeals variance (property owners within 500 ft get mailed notice).
What law covers backyard chickens in Farmington Hills?
Farmington Hills Code Sec. 6-4. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Farmington Hills Code Sec. 6-4 — read the official code
“chickens must be within 175 feet of your own dwelling. Enclosures or coops must be no less than 30 feet from neighboring homes and 5 feet from property lines” source
“A person who cannot reasonably comply with the requirement ... may file an appeal to the zoning board of appeals clearly outlining the relief sought” source
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any animal or fowl within one hundred seventy-five (175) feet of any dwelling other than dwelling of the owner.” source
Last verified August 30, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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