Anne Arundel County, MD Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- pet shops and grooming parlors
- Wash water
- minimum 180°F required
- Cages
- nonporous, sized to stand/turn
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Animal Services
- First offense fine
- $50 (Class E civil offense)
Summary
Anne Arundel County requires every pet shop and grooming parlor to keep 180°F wash water, sanitary nonporous cages sized for each animal, fresh food and water, and adequate ventilation under County Code § 12-4-805.
The operator of a pet shop or a grooming parlor shall provide: (1) water at a minimum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit for washing and disinfecting cages, or another approved method of disinfecting; (2) cages or enclosures, made of nonporous material, that are of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, turn around, and stretch out to its full length, and maintained in a sanitary condition with sufficient clean, dry bedding for each animal...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The operator of a pet shop or grooming parlor must provide water at a minimum of 180°F for washing and disinfecting cages (or another approved disinfecting method), nonporous cages or enclosures large enough for each animal to stand, turn around, and stretch out, kept sanitary with clean dry bedding, fresh water in a secured, daily-disinfected vessel, uncontaminated daily food, adequate perching space for birds, and ventilation with a healthful room temperature. The Department of Animal Services enforces these standards countywide, including unincorporated communities like Glen Burnie and Severna Park, which have no separate municipal code of their own. Annapolis and Highland Beach, as incorporated municipalities, are not covered.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet the § 12-4-805 standards is a civil offense under § 12-4-1001, defaulting to a Class E civil offense per § 9-2-101: $50 for a first violation, $100 for each repeat, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anne Arundel County license pet groomers separately?
What water temperature must a grooming parlor use to disinfect cages?
Does this rule apply to a groomer in Glen Burnie or Severna Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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