Backyard chickens in Norton Shores, Michigan

Yes. Norton Shores permits backyard chickens. Under a 2016 ordinance amendment, up to four chickens on appropriately zoned parcels will be allowed, and the parcel must be zoned single family residential and chickens need to have a covered and fenced enclosure in the home's backyard. Roosters are prohibited, except in those areas of Norton Shores zoned for farm animals. Separately, the city's underlying Livestock ordinance (Chapter 6, Article III, §§ 6-50–6-54) still governs larger parcels: chickens are allowed and, for anyone who owns 2 acres of land, up to 50 chickens are permitted, with an additional acre adding 50 more, and no permit is required and roosters are not allowed under that base section.

Norton Shores sits directly on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Muskegon County, so 'lake effect' moderates temperature extremes somewhat compared to inland Michigan, but winters still bring sustained sub-freezing temperatures, lake-effect snow, and damp, cold conditions. Coops should be insulated or draft-free with dry bedding, and predator-proof housing is important given the wooded, semi-rural surroundings near the lakeshore.

Norton Shores' mix of wooded lots, dunes, wetlands, and lakeshore parkland supports healthy populations of raccoons, red and gray foxes, coyotes, opossums, and birds of prey such as red-tailed hawks — all of which are capable of preying on backyard flocks, especially at dawn/dusk or overnight. A secure, covered, fully-enclosed run (required by the city's ordinance) is your best defense against digging and climbing predators alike.