Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Only in some places. Grand Rapids' pickup rule, Grand Rapids City Code Sec. 3.15, applies only in parks, so elsewhere in the city there is no specific requirement. A court can impose up to $500.
What the Grand Rapids ordinance says
| Ordinance | Grand Rapids City Code Sec. 3.15 (Domestic Animals), city parks only; no citywide pickup rule in the current code |
|---|---|
| Fine | Up to $500 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
Sec. 3.15 states no penalty. The municipal civil infraction schedule, Sec. 9.857.41, lists Code Section 3.15 at $50 initial, $100 first repeat, $200 second repeat, but describes that infraction as "Domestic animals running at large within City parks" and does not mention waste. Absent a specific designation, the Sec. 1.13 general penalty applies: a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Whether park pickup violations are ticketed under the $50 schedule or the general penalty is not stated in the code.
The carry rule
Sec. 3.15 requires owners to remove fecal discharges from park property; no carry requirement.
Service animals
Sec. 3.15 contains no service or guide dog exemption.
How Grand Rapids compares
Unlike Detroit ($200), Grand Rapids has no set ticket, so the amount is decided when a citation is heard.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Michigan
Michigan dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Detroit dog poop law · Warren dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Grand Rapids municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
