Queen Anne's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Pet Store Rules (2026)

Queen Anne's County regulates retail animal sales through licensing in § 9-13 of the County Code. The section defines a commercial animal establishment as any business whose primary or secondary purpose is the sale, transfer, or conveyance of any animal or animal service for money, except livestock or domestic livestock. The list names an enterprise engaged in sale of animals, a breeder, a humane society, animal rescue, or similar organization, and a pet shop, along with petting zoos, grooming shops, auctions, boarding or breeding kennels, and others. Section 9-13 prints no adoption-only requirement and no ban on selling dogs or cats.

None of these businesses can operate without a license, and licenses must be renewed annually. Only a facility owned or operated by a government agency or entity is exempt. An initial application goes to the Animal Control Commission with a completed application form and written verification from the Queen Anne's County Department of Planning and Zoning that the application complies with zoning and land use regulations and is a permitted use, or that they do not apply to the use proposed. Fees set in the animal control regulations are paid to the Animal Control Office, an Animal Control Officer inspects the facility, the Commission reviews the application, and the Commission issues the license on approval. Renewals repeat the application, fee, inspection, and license steps.

A licensed shop must display its license in a conspicuous place on the premises. An Animal Control Officer can inspect all animals and all areas where animals are kept at any time and unannounced. Every facility location is a separate enterprise needing its own license, and a new owner can have a license transferred after a successful inspection and payment of a transfer fee. A person found guilty of cruelty to animals cannot be issued a commercial license without the Commission's approval (§ 9-13H).

Section 9-14 adds a stop mechanism. An Animal Control Officer can apply to the Commission's Chairperson or designee for a temporary cease and desist order against a licensee who fails to comply with Chapter 9 or withheld or falsified application information, and the Commission must hold a hearing within 30 days.