Animal Ordinances in Frederick, MD (2026)
4 verified animal ordinances for Frederick, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Frederick bans livestock citywide outside limited exceptions, but allows licensed backyard chickens on single-family or duplex lots of at least 2,500 square feet. Chicken owners are capped at one bird per 500 square feet of back yard, six chickens max, hens only.
Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules in Frederick, MD
Significant RestrictionsCity of Frederick Code § 3-16
A person may own no more than one chicken per every five hundred (500) square feet of back yard area, and a maximum of six (6) chickens on one lot. Only female chickens are permitted; roosters are prohibited.
Dog Leash Laws
Frederick requires dogs to stay on the owner's property or under immediate physical control by chain or leash. An animal that is neither on its owner's property nor restrained by a chain or leash is legally "at large" and subject to Frederick County's animal control enforcement.
Dogs at Large / Leash Law in Frederick, MD
Some RestrictionsCity of Frederick Code § 3-1(b)(2)
In § 1-5-1, the definition of "at large" is amended to read: "An animal shall be deemed to be at large whenever it is not: (1) on the owner's property; or (2) under the immediate physical control of a person and restrained by a chain or leash."
Breed Restrictions
Frederick enforces Frederick County's dangerous and potentially dangerous dog rules as its own law. A dog that injures a person without provocation, or that runs at large or is impounded three times in six months, can be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous by the Director of Animal Control.
Dangerous Dog Rules in Frederick, MD
Significant RestrictionsCity of Frederick Code § 3-1(b)(3)
In § 1-5-1, the definition of "dangerous dog" is amended to read: "Any dog that: (1) Without provocation causes death or serious injury to a person; or (2) After having been designated as a potentially dangerous dog by the Director of Animal Control, engages in any behavior which results in death or injury to a person or death or serious injury to an animal."
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Frederick does not require every pet to be spayed or neutered, but it will not issue a multiple domestic animal license, blanket kennel license, or cattery license for any animal that has not been fixed. The rule is written into the City's amendment of the County animal code.
Multi-Animal License Spay/Neuter Rule Frederick MD
Light RestrictionsCity of Frederick Code § 3-1(b)(11)
In § 1-5-34, add to the end of subsection (A): "A multiple domestic animal license or blanket kennel or cattery license will not be issued for any animal that has not been spayed or neutered."