Rockville, MD Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Hen limit
- 5 female hens per SFD
- Roosters
- Prohibited outright
- Coop setback
- 5 ft. line, 40 ft. house
- Multifamily/townhouse
- Chickens not allowed
- Neighbor notice
- Written, before permit use
Summary
Rockville allows up to five hens per single-family home with a police-issued permit: no roosters, no multifamily coops, and coops must sit five feet from the property line and forty feet from neighboring houses.
e.Chickens may be maintained with a permit issued by the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee. The following regulations must be followed:1.No more than five (5) female chickens shall be allowed for each single-family dwelling. No roosters shall be permitted.2.Chickens shall not be permitted at multi-family dwelling units or townhouses.3.Chickens housed outdoors shall be provided with a covered, predator-proof coop or cage that is well-ventilated and designed to be easily accessed for cleaning. The coop shall allow at least two (2) square feet per chicken. Chickens shall have access to an outdoor enclosure that is adequately fenced to contain the birds on the property and to prevent predators from access to the birds.4.Coops or cages housing chickens shall be located at least five (5) feet from the property line and at least forty (40) feet from the primary residential structure on each adjacent lot at the time it is constructed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 3-24(b)(1)e, keeping chickens requires a permit from the Chief of Police or designee. The cap is five female chickens per single-family dwelling: roosters are barred outright, and chickens can't be kept at multifamily units or townhouses at all. The coop must be covered, predator-proof, well-ventilated, give each bird at least two square feet, and sit at least five feet from the property line and forty feet from the primary residence on every adjacent lot, never in a front or side yard. Owners must clean the coop regularly, can't slaughter birds on-site, can't bring in chicks younger than eight weeks, and must give every abutting neighbor written notice before the chickens arrive.
Violations & Fines
Keeping chickens without a Police-issued permit, exceeding five hens, keeping roosters, or violating coop setback or sanitation rules under § 3-24(b)(1)e is a chapter violation subject to citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chickens can I keep in Rockville?
Do I have to tell my neighbors before getting chickens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockville
How Rockville compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rockville to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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