Animal Ordinances in Allegany County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Allegany County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Keeping chickens or other poultry and livestock in the R-1 District of unincorporated Allegany County requires a lot of at least two acres under § 360-102. Agricultural uses generally are permitted in every zoning district, but animal and poultry husbandry in R-1 carries this specific minimum-lot condition.
Backyard Chickens & Livestock, Allegany
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 360-102, 360-131.C
§ 360-102. Agricultural uses and structures. Agricultural uses and structures shall be permitted in all districts. Animal and poultry husbandry shall be permitted in the R-1 District, subject to the following condition: A. Lots must be a minimum of two acres in size. ... Agricultural uses, including residences and outbuildings, existing at the time of passage of this Part 4 are considered confo...
Dog Leash Laws
Every dog in unincorporated Allegany County must carry a current license and stay under restraint, meaning leashed, in a vehicle, or on the owner's own property, under § 225-7; dogs caught running at large go to the County Shelter for a minimum 96-hour hold before an owner can redeem them.
Allegany County Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 225-7, 225-8
§ 225-7. Dogs running at large. All dogs in Allegany County must have and display a current license at all times, for it shall be unlawful for the owner of any dogs to allow said dogs to be at large in Allegany County, meaning to be off the premises or property of the owner, unless under restraint, except dogs accompanied by the owner or trainer and being used or trained for hunting or police p...
Breed Restrictions
Allegany County has no breed ban; instead § 225-13 targets any individual dog that is fierce, dangerous or vicious, including one that has bitten a human, requiring confinement in a building or secure enclosure and a muzzle whenever it is taken outside, with Animal Control able to designate a dog "vicious" in writing.
Allegany County Dangerous Dog Confinement Rule
Significant RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 225-1, 225-13
VICIOUS ANIMAL Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings, animals or livestock or any animal which, due to its disposition, has a propensity to cause injury or behaves in a manner which could reasonably cause injury to human beings, animals or livestock, regardless of whether or not such behavior is hostile, or any provocation, or any dog which has been designated and in wri...
Cat Rules
Cats don't need a license or tag the way dogs do in unincorporated Allegany County, but § 225-20 still requires every cat owner to keep proof of current rabies immunization, and lets Animal Control hold a surrendered or stray cat for 96 hours before humane disposition or adoption.
Allegany County Cat Licensing and Impoundment Rule
Light RestrictionsAllegany County Code § 225-20
§ 225-20. Cats. A. Animal control personnel are hereby authorized to receive, at the animal control shelter, cats, unless said cats pose a health threat to other confined animals. At the end of a confinement period of not less than 96 hours, they are authorized to dispose of said cats in a manner consistent with humane practices and to dispose of the carcasses as heretofore provided for in § 22...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Allegany County does not force every pet owner to spay or neuter, but any dog or cat adopted from the county animal shelter must be sterilized within 30 days of adoption, or within 30 days of the animal's six-month birthday, under § 225-11, with the fee collected at adoption.
Allegany County Shelter Pet Sterilization Rule
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code § 225-11
§ 225-11. Sterilization. A. Unless exempted by the ASM, no dog or cat shall be released for adoption from the animal shelter without being sterilized or without a written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing that such animal be sterilized. B. Sterilization shall be required within 30 days of adoption or within 30 days of the animals six-month birthday. The ASM shall determine and establish s...
Pet Groomer Rules
Any business that grooms dogs for pay in unincorporated Allegany County is legally a "kennel" under § 225-1, so it must hold a current kennel license under § 225-19 before opening, regardless of how many dogs are on site at one time, and stays subject to complaint-driven inspection.
Allegany County Pet Grooming Business Rules
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 225-1, 225-19
KENNEL An establishment wherein any person, group of persons or corporation engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, grooming or selling dogs; or wherein at any one time there are kept or harbored five or more dogs over six months old for a business or commercial purpose; or at which more than one litter of puppies per year is offered for sale. ... ... § 225-19. Kennel licenses an...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary clinic cannot operate as a home-based business in unincorporated Allegany County. Section 360-88.C of the Land Development chapter lists veterinarian clinics, alongside stables, kennels, tennis courts and swimming pools, as commercial uses that are not considered residential accessory uses for home occupations, so a clinic needs its own commercial zoning approval.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning, Allegany County
Some RestrictionsAllegany County Code §§ 360-88.C, 360-139
Certain commercial uses, including stables, kennels, veterinarian clinics, tennis courts or swimming pools, are not considered residential accessory uses or structures for home occupations. ... Land Use Parking Required ... Veterinary clinics/hospitals 1 space per 300 square feet of GFA
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