Raising Chickens
In Maryland, any person who keeps or cares for chickens must register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. A person must also register other kinds of poultry, including ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and doves. The registration program helps protect the Maryland domestic poultry industries from the spread of disease. The registration form can be found on the Maryland Department of Agriculture's website.
Read the Law: Md. Code Ann., Agriculture, § 3-804.
Counties and cities regulate the number of chickens that a person can raise on a specific piece of property. They may also regulate the size of the lot, the distance of the hen house or coop from neighbors and other conditions. For this reason, a person wishing to raise chickens must check the law in the county where he or she lives.
The following table shows information for cities and counties in Maryland:
| Annapolis |
You may not keep more than 5 chickens on one property, and no roosters. Chickens must have a "sturdy coop" and an attached, secure enclosure set back at least five feet from the property line. You must get approval from all abutting owners of your intent to keep chickens. Use the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs backyard chicken registry and approval form. Prior to keeping any chickens, submit the form to the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs along with accompanying fees and approved inspection. |
| Anne Arundel |
Residents may keep up to 32 chickens per 40,000 square foot area. The hen house or coop must be 50 feet from all lot lines. Additional rules apply. Anne Arundel County Code, Section 18-4-104; (Article 18, Title 4, Section 104) |
| Baltimore City |
Residents may keep up to 4 chickens on lots less than 2,000 square feet. City regulations allow more chickens to be kept on larger lots. The coop must be at least 15 feet from any home. To get a permit, contact the Bureau of Animal Control at 410-396-4698. Additional rules apply. |
| Baltimore County |
Residents my keep chickens (hens) on an owner-occupied property with a single-family detached dwelling under 1 acre in size. The number of chickens and minimum land area are set forth in county zoning regulations. Residents must obtain a license from the Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections. Balto. Co. Zoning Regulations, § 100.6. - Land used for stabling and pasturing of animals. For lots over 1 acre, residents may keep any amount of chickens as long as the poultry does not create a nuisance. Nuisance definition: Balto. Co. Code Section 13-7-112 (Article 13, Title 7, Section 13-7-112) |
| Bel Air |
On properties larger than 2 acres, farm animals are permitted. The number of animals shall not exceed one per acre, and setbacks are required. |
| Howard County | Residents living in a detached, single-family house may keep up to 8 chickens. No roosters are allowed. The yard must be 10,000 square feet or larger. The coop must be at least 15 feet from all lot lines and 50 feet from all neighbors’ houses. Additional rules apply. Howard County Comprehensive Zoning Plan Section 128.0 D.10 |
| Prince George's County |
Most county zoning types prohibit "animals, not customarily household pets.” Some zones have special exceptions. |