Detroit, land of eggs and honey
New regulations allowing people to keep chickens, ducks and honeybees to produce food will take effect in February 2025.
Council members voted 5-3 to adopt zoning and animal control ordinance changes Tuesday after nearly a decade of discussion on whether livestock belongs in Detroit. The ordinance changes apply to residents, urban farms, schools, restaurants, city agencies, 4-H programs and educational nonprofits.
Council Member James Tate spearheaded the ordinance, arguing it would improve access to healthy food. Chickens can produce around 300 eggs per year.
An unknown number of people are quietly keeping animals already, according to city staff.
“I believe that we should be able to do whatever we want on land that we own and we pay taxes on, as long as it’s not harming the environment, infrastructure, is not a nuisance to your neighbor, and is not immoral,” Tate said during an October public hearing.
Tate said the vast majority of Detroiters who participated in public engagement meetings are in support. There are some who disagree, he said, including Tate’s own mother.
“Hopefully I’m able to still come to Sunday dinner if this gets passed,” Tate said.
Detroiters need a license to keep animals and must have legal control of the property. The city can immediately suspend a license if a public health threat is found.
Residents can keep eight chickens and ducks and four honeybee hives. Urban gardens and farms can keep 12 ducks and chickens and up to eight bee hives depending on its size. Roosters are not allowed.
Chickens and ducks must be kept 30 feet from neighboring homes and five feet from the property line. Bees must be kept 25 feet from the property line.
Animal shelters must be enclosed on all sides, ventilated and kept clean.
The ordinance sets regulations for storing food and compost, removing manure, mitigating pests, tagging animals and disposing of deceased animals.
Animals can’t only be slaughtered at licensed facilities, not residential properties. Water can’t flow from areas where animals are kept onto adjacent properties, waterways or storm water drains.
Three members voted against the changes. Council Member Scott Benson said he’s supportive of the idea but he’s heard from too many constituents who didn’t want it passed or had questions.
“I personally support this but unfortunately, I won’t be able to go with this today just based on the number and feedback that I’ve received from my residents,” Benson said. “But I support others in this endeavor and hope for a positive outcome today.
Council Member Mary Waters said it should be put on the ballot for voters to decide. She also argued that chickens “stink,” can’t be contained and would lead to fights between neighbors.
Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway said the city already struggles to keep animals under control, citing violent dog attacks. She also claimed a buffalo was recently on the loose.
“I don’t think people, when they moved in the city, wanted to live next to chickens and roosters and ducks and buffaloes and pot belly pigs and goats and sheep and horses,” Whitfield-Calloway said. “At least I didn’t. That’s not what I signed up for.”
Only chickens, ducks and bees are allowed under the ordinance.
Violating the regulations is punishable by a misdemeanor and $100 fine, which increases for multiple offenses.
A MSU study from 2015 suggested 1,000 to 3,000 households will seek licenses.
Tate said urban agriculture can raise property values and improve homeownership rates in surrounding areas.
Keep Growing Detroit, a nonprofit farming resource organization, estimates there are 2,300 urban gardens and farms in the city.
KGD has trained 119 residents on how to keep chickens and estimates 200 residents are already keeping bees.
What page are we on?
Today’s notebook covers the Nov. 12 formal session. Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero was absent.
There are two more formal sessions before the council ends its business for the year. Winter recess starts Nov. 27 and ends Feb. 8, 2025.
Dig into the agenda, read Detroit Documenter notes or watch the recording for more details.
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