Under New Urban Farming Rules.
Urban agriculture advocates in Detroit have been working toward a livestock ordinance since 2013.
Detroiters will soon be able to keep chickens, ducks, and honeybees in their backyards under a new ordinance passed by the Detroit City Council on Tuesday.
The council voted 5-3 in favor of the measure, which goes into effect in January 2025, marking a shift in urban agriculture regulations and allowing residents to raise certain animals for fresh food production, including eggs and honey, within city limits.
Advocates see the new ordinance as a way to combat food insecurity and improve access to healthy, local food. Urban agriculture can also raise property values and encourage homeownership in surrounding areas, they say.
The ordinance also aims to support urban farms, educational nonprofits, and schools that contribute to Detroit’s growing agricultural landscape.
Detroit nonprofit Keep Growing Detroit estimates there are already more than 2,300 urban gardens in the city.
Urban agriculture advocates in Detroit have been working toward a livestock ordinance since 2013. Detroit Farm and Cider faced criminal charges for keeping livestock like horses, goats, and chickens.
The new rules allow residents to keep up to eight chickens or ducks and up to four bee hives. Urban farms can house 12 ducks or chickens and eight hives, depending on the size of the property. However, residents are prohibited from keeping roosters and other farm animals like goats, buffalo, and pigs.
Chickens and ducks must be housed at least 30 feet from neighboring homes, with beehives situated 25 feet away. Enclosures must be fully enclosed, ventilated, and kept clean, with guidelines for tagging animals, storing feed, and managing manure.
Those interested in raising animals will need to apply for a city license, and the ordinance allows for license suspension if a public health threat is detected.
While many Detroiters voiced support, others expressed concerns. Council Member Mary Waters argued the ordinance should have been put to a public vote, citing the potential for neighborhood disputes over odors and the presence of animals. Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway also opposed the measure, referencing Detroit’s existing challenges with animal control.
Nevertheless, supporters believe the ordinance will empower residents, expand agricultural education, and offer new opportunities for community-based food production.