Coming Soon to Detroit: An Urban Livestock Ordinance

Christine Ferretti reports on the debate in Detroit over an ordinance expected to appear before the City Council in early 2016 that would allow residents to keep livestock, like sheep, honeybees, chickens, and other animals, in urban areas.

"An interest in urban livestock has been growing in Detroit in recent years, but some are worried about health implications, zoning allowances, animal care standards and oversight," according to Ferretti. Following the interest, the city convened an urban livestock working group a year ago "to study local and national policies as well as zoning, animal control, regulation and care strategies for Detroit."

Now a proposed ordinance, "expected to address permitting, euthanasia practices, noise and odor control, waste management and sheltering," should be ready for a hearing in front of the city's Planning Commission by the beginning of next year and the City Council in February or March. Ferretti also reports that the "ordinance wouldn’t allow livestock to be kept as companion animals, like dogs and cats. Rather, keeping livestock would be classified as an accessory activity for grazing on vacant lots and producing eggs, meat, milk and honey."

The article includes more details about the types of animal husbandry that would be allowed under the new ordinance, what it takes to maintain livestock in an urban setting, and voices from either side of the political debate leading up the City Council decision.