Prince George's County limits large accumulations of animals through the hobby-permit cap and prohibits animal cruelty and neglect. Keeping five or more animals without a permit or in poor conditions can trigger seizure and penalties.
The county has no standalone 'hoarding' statute, but several provisions target it. Sec. 3-148.02 requires an animal hobby permit for anyone keeping five or more animals larger than a guinea pig over four months old, giving Animal Services a checkpoint on large collections. Cruelty and neglect are prohibited, and Sec. 3-136 addresses vicious and dangerous animals; violations of the code's core welfare and vicious-animal sections carry criminal penalties of up to $1,000 and imprisonment under Sec. 3-116.01. Maryland state law also criminalizes animal cruelty and neglect. Animal Services (Department of the Environment) may inspect, seize animals kept in inhumane conditions, and pursue charges.
Neglect, cruelty, or unpermitted mass keeping can bring animal seizure, criminal charges, fines up to $1,000, and possible imprisonment.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Prince George's County actively supports composting. Through the PGC Composts program, the County offers weekly curbside collection of food scraps and yard t...
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Prince George's County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating residential artificial turf. Because Maryland is humid, turf is not a mandated dro...
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Prince George's County encourages native and conservation landscaping rather than restricting it. The Rain Check Rebate Program offers a conservation landsca...
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Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in Prince George's County. Rain barrels and cisterns are Rain Check-approved practices eligible for cou...
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Prince George's County has no permanent lawn-watering schedule. Water is supplied by WSSC Water, and in humid Maryland outdoor watering is unrestricted in no...
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Prince George's County treats overgrown weeds as a property-maintenance violation. Subtitle 13 (Section 13-118, adopting IPMC 302.4) bans weeds and plant gro...
See how Prince George's County's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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