Takoma Park Animal Ordinances: Livestock Rules (2026)

Takoma Park's zoning does not include agricultural districts, and the city's dense residential character prohibits keeping traditional livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and swine on residential property. Montgomery County zoning regulations restrict livestock to agricultural and rural zones, none of which exist within Takoma Park. Backyard chickens (hens only, no roosters) are permitted under Montgomery County regulations with a limit of eight hens per property, provided coops meet setback requirements and are maintained in sanitary condition. No slaughtering of any animal is permitted on residential property. Miniature goats, potbellied pigs, and other animals sometimes marketed as pets rather than livestock are still classified as livestock under county regulations and are prohibited in residential zones. The city's small lot sizes and close-neighbor proximity make livestock keeping impractical and a potential nuisance.