Can I keep chickens in Kalamazoo, MI?
No — Kalamazoo does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Kalamazoo Code Ch. 7, Sec. 7-6 (Keeping of horses and other farm animals). Former Sec. 7-5 (Keeping of rabbits and poultry) repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075, verified August 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Coop rules | Poultry now falls under the general farm-animal rule, which requires a lot of at least two acres, sanitary conditions free of offensive odors, and a fence preventing the animal from running at large. Exceptions are only by written permission from the Chief of Public Safety. There is no longer a standing backyard chicken permit. |
| Code section | Kalamazoo Code Ch. 7, Sec. 7-6 (Keeping of horses and other farm animals). Former Sec. 7-5 (Keeping of rabbits and poultry) repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075 |
Kalamazoo repealed its poultry permit section in October 2023. Poultry is now governed by the general farm-animal rule, which requires a lot of at least two acres, so a typical city residential lot cannot legally keep chickens. The only remaining path is discretionary written permission from the Chief of Public Safety.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Kalamazoo?
No — chickens are not allowed in Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo Code Ch. 7, Sec. 7-6 (Keeping of horses and other farm animals). Former Sec. 7-5 (Keeping of rabbits and poultry) repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075).
Are roosters allowed in Kalamazoo?
No — roosters are prohibited in Kalamazoo.
What law covers backyard chickens in Kalamazoo?
Kalamazoo Code Ch. 7, Sec. 7-6 (Keeping of horses and other farm animals). Former Sec. 7-5 (Keeping of rabbits and poultry) repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Kalamazoo Code Ch. 7, Sec. 7-6 (Keeping of horses and other farm animals). Former Sec. 7-5 (Keeping of rabbits and poultry) repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075 — read the official code
“No horse, mule, ass, swine or other farm animal, including poultry, shall be permitted to run at large anywhere within the City limits” source
“No horse, mule, ass, swine or other farm animal, including poultry, shall be permitted to run at large anywhere within the City limits.” source
“Former § 7-5, Keeping of rabbits and poultry, was repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075” source
“Editor's Note: Former Sec. 7-5, Keeping of rabbits and poultry, was repealed 10-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2075.” 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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