Anne Arundel County, MD Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Animal Rescue License, § 12-4-709
- Annual fee
- $25 per year
- Operator status
- Must be 501(c)(3)/(d) nonprofit
- Pre-license step
- Inspection of facility required
- Existing facilities deadline
- Apply by June 12, 2026
Summary
Operating a wildlife or animal rescue facility anywhere in unincorporated Anne Arundel County requires a $25 annual county license: the operator must be a registered nonprofit, pass an inspection, and disclose any animal-cruelty convictions before the county will issue it.
(b) When required. In addition to meeting the licensing requirements imposed by § 12-4-703, the operator of an animal rescue shall obtain an animal rescue license. ... (c) Non-profit status required. The operator of an animal rescue shall be a non-profit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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
Anyone running an animal rescue in Anne Arundel County, including one caring for injured or orphaned wildlife, since the code defines "animal" as any vertebrate other than a human, needs a county animal rescue license under § 12-4-709, on top of the base license required by § 12-4-703. The operator must be a 501(c)(3) or 501(d) nonprofit, pass a pre-license inspection of the indoor and outdoor areas, and disclose any animal-cruelty convictions of the person in charge. The $25 annual license renews yearly for as long as the rescue keeps operating. Farms keeping livestock or fowl are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Operating an unlicensed animal rescue facility violates Article 12; the Department may deny, suspend, or revoke a license for noncompliance, an animal-cruelty conviction, or a failed inspection, appealable to the County Board of Appeals within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a wildlife rescue in Glen Burnie or Severna Park need a county license?
How much does the Anne Arundel County animal rescue license cost?
What if a wildlife rescue was already operating before this rule took effect?
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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