A Michigan woman faces an outrageous $80,000 fine over backyard chickens after the city arbitrarily revoked her permit following a single neighbor’s complaint.
Key Takeaways
- Kathryn Sarkisian invested $23,000 in a chicken coop and fence after receiving official permit approval from Douglas, Michigan officials
- The city revoked her permit after a single neighbor complained, despite the complaint coming outside the designated objection period
- Douglas is now imposing a $300 daily fine that has potentially accumulated to $80,000 or more since November 2024
- Sarkisian has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the ordinance violates her 14th Amendment due process rights
- Two legal organizations are supporting her case against the city’s constitutionally questionable ordinance
Government Overreach Tramples Property Rights
Kathryn Sarkisian of Douglas, Michigan followed all the rules when establishing her backyard chicken coop in 2023. After receiving official city approval for six chickens, she invested $23,000 to construct a proper chicken run and privacy fence on her property. Her substantial investment reflected her commitment to responsible urban agriculture and compliance with local regulations. Yet this law-abiding citizen now faces financial ruin after the city abruptly revoked her permit based on a single neighbor’s complaint, despite that complaint coming outside the designated objection period.
“I was raised in a family that loves this country, that believes in our freedom, that’s grateful for people who fought and who still fight for our freedoms. And those freedoms and rights are very near and dear to me,” said Kathryn Sarkisian.
Crushing Fines With No Due Process
The city’s response has been nothing short of draconian. Officials began fining Sarkisian $300 per day starting in November 2024, with the total potentially exceeding $80,000 already. Even more troubling, the city has refused to clarify the exact start date for the fines, creating a financial black hole that could potentially reach $200,000 or more. This excessive punishment for legally permitted chickens demonstrates how quickly local government can weaponize ordinances against taxpaying citizens when proper constitutional guardrails are absent.
The Pacific Legal Foundation’s complaint describes the city ordinance as creating “a standardless and unreviewable veto over Kathy’s use of her own property.”
Constitutional Rights Under Attack
At the core of this case is a fundamental constitutional issue. Sarkisian, with support from both the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) and the Pacific Legal Foundation, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The lawsuit contends that the Douglas ordinance violates her 14th Amendment due process rights by giving neighbors extraordinary power over another citizen’s property use without any standards, appeals process, or hearing options. This effectively hands one citizen unchecked control over another’s property rights.
“Are you kidding me? This is our right. These are my chickens,” said Kathryn Sarkisian.
Food Freedom Movement Faces Local Resistance
The irony of Sarkisian’s battle is that it comes at a time when federal leadership is actually encouraging self-sufficiency. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has publicly stated her desire to “make it easier for families to raise backyard chickens” as part of a broader push toward food independence. Yet local bureaucrats seem determined to move in the opposite direction, punishing citizens who take steps toward greater self-reliance. This case exemplifies the growing tension between Americans seeking greater freedom over their food choices and local governments clinging to outdated or unconstitutional restrictions.
A Growing National Pattern
Sarkisian’s case is not isolated. Other Michigan towns have faced similar legal challenges regarding backyard poultry ordinances, reflecting a nationwide struggle between property rights and local control. The FTCLDF has explicitly invited members facing similar issues with local ordinances to contact them for support, suggesting this problem is widespread. As American families increasingly turn to traditional practices like raising chickens to counter inflation and ensure food quality, the outcome of Sarkisian’s case could set an important precedent for property rights and food freedom across the country.
