Baltimore County has no flat cap on pets, but its code defines a 'fancier' as anyone owning more than three dogs or cats for noncommercial purposes. Keeping more than three, or breeding/boarding for a fee, triggers fancier-kennel or holding-facility licensing and zoning compliance.
The County Code (12-1-101) defines a 'fancier' as a person who owns or keeps more than three dogs or cats for noncommercial purposes (hunting, tracking, shows, trials), and a 'fancier kennel or cattery' as the facility a fancier maintains for those animals. Keeping animals commercially - breeding, boarding, grooming, selling, or training for a fee - makes it a 'commercial kennel.' Kennels and 'holding facilities' must be licensed (12-6-101) and meet minimum sanitation standards (12-6-103), and all animal keeping must comply with the Zoning Regulations (12-1-106). Every dog and cat over four months also needs an individual county animal license (12-2-201).
Operating an unlicensed holding facility/kennel violates Article 12: civil penalty $30 first / $150 repeat, misdemeanor. Failure to license a dog or cat is a $100 penalty per animal under 12-1-110.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Baltimore County's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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