Prince George's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- PG County Code § 3-133
- Applies to
- Anyone keeping fowl or animals, countywide
- Standard
- Clean, sanitary, free of obnoxious odor
- Inspections
- By Animal Control Officers, any time
- Civil fine
- $50/$100/$250 for 1st/2nd/later violation
- Loose birds
- Also violate at-large ban, § 3-135
Summary
Prince George's County Code § 3-133 requires anyone keeping fowl or livestock, commercial or backyard, to keep the animals clean, sanitary, and free of obnoxious odors at all times. Animal Control Officers can inspect the premises, and loose chickens, geese, or ducks still count as animals at large under § 3-135.
(a)All persons keeping or raising fowl or animals within the County, whether for commercial purposes or otherwise, shall keep the same at all times in a clean and sanitary condition and free from obnoxious odors.(b)The premises upon which are kept any fowl or animals (including, but not limited to, rodents, cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats) shall be subject to inspection by Animal Control Officers. Such premises shall be subject to the regulations contained in Section 3-131(a) of this Subtitle with respect to the maintenance of sanitary conditions, care and feeding of animals and their young, provision of veterinary care, and other matters as may be promulgated by the Director, pursuant to recommendations from the Commission.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2026 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 3-101(52) defines "livestock" to include bovine, equine, ovine, porcine, cervidae, and caprine animals, animals of the genus Lama, ratites, and enclosed rabbits or hares raised for food or fiber, while Section 3-101(44) defines "fowl" as any domesticated or wild bird used for food, and Section 3-101(40) separately defines "farm animal" to include horses, cattle, domesticated fowl, sheep, and swine, expressly excluding dogs and cats. Section 3-133(b) lets Animal Control Officers inspect premises keeping rodents, cattle, horses, sheep, swine, or goats, and applies the general proper-care standards of Section 3-131(a): proper food, water, shelter, space, exercise, veterinary care, grooming, light, transportation, air, and cleaning.
Section 3-133 does not zone where livestock may be kept; that is controlled by the separate Zoning Ordinance, not this animal-control chapter. Loose fowl are separately regulated: Section 3-135(a) explicitly lists geese, ducks, and chickens among the animals barred from running at large, subjecting them to the same restraint, impoundment, and tethering rules that apply to dogs and cattle.
Violations & Fines
A Section 3-133 sanitation violation carries the default civil-penalty schedule in Section 3-116(a)(1): $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $250 for each one after that, on top of any Commission for Animal Control order to abate a public nuisance condition under Section 3-132. Letting chickens, geese, or ducks roam loose separately violates the at-large ban in Section 3-135, drawing the same $50/$100/$250 civil schedule plus possible criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Prince George's County?
What happens if my chickens or ducks get loose?
Who enforces the sanitation rule for livestock and fowl?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
How Prince George's County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.