Livestock: Gaithersburg vs Takoma Park

Livestock including goats, sheep, horses, cattle, and pigs are generally prohibited on standard residential lots in Gaithersburg. Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 59 restricts livestock keeping to agricultural (AR) and rural residential zones with minimum lot sizes that far exceed typical Gaithersburg residential parcels. Most of Gaithersburg is zoned R-60, R-90, R-200, or townhouse/multifamily, none of which permit traditional livestock. Miniature goats and pygmy goats have been discussed in county zoning text amendments, but no broadly applicable residential exception currently exists for Gaithersburg's zoning categories. Chickens are regulated separately under the county's poultry provisions with specific conditions on numbers, setbacks, and rooster prohibition. Rabbits kept as household pets in small numbers are generally permitted, but breeding operations or large colonies would require agricultural zoning. Any animal kept on residential property must comply with nuisance, odor, and sanitation standards. Montgomery County Animal Services enforces livestock restrictions and responds to complaints about prohibited animals on residential properties.

Takoma Park prohibits livestock including horses, cattle, goats, and swine on residential property. No agricultural zoning exists. Backyard hens (up to 8, no roosters) are permitted.