Animal Ordinances in Anne Arundel County, MD (2026)

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4-104(c)

Livestock may be kept on a lot of 40,000 square feet or greater and may not exceed a ratio of one animal unit per 40,000 square feet... Domestic fowl may be kept on a lot 40,000 square feet or greater and may not exceed a ratio of one bird unit per 40,000 square feet... All livestock and fowl shall be kept within a fenced area.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-905 (definition at § 12-4-101(5))

(b) Prohibition. A domesticated animal may not be at large. An owner of an animal at large is in violation of this section. ... "At large" means off the property of an animal's owner and is not restrained by a leash or under the control of the owner or a responsible person.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-402(b)

(b) Potentially dangerous. The Department may designate an animal as potentially dangerous if, after consideration of the animal's demeanor and prior history and any evidence of mitigating circumstances, the Department finds that the animal: (1) engaged in conduct that caused a minor or severe injury to a person or domesticated animal.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-902(a)

A person may not keep or permit to be kept on the person's premises any wild animal, exotic animal, or vicious animal as a pet or for display or exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. Small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, other small rodents, rabbits, ferrets, birds, fish, and nonpoisonous amphibians and reptiles are not considered wild animals or ex...

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4-104(b)

(b) Pets. The keeping of pets for other than commercial purposes is allowed. (1) The keeping of cats is limited to no more than nine per household. (2) The keeping of dogs shall be in accordance with the following schedule: 1 to 4, No requirement; 5 to 6, 25,000 square feet; 7 or more, 40,000 square feet, plus 5,000 square feet for each additional dog above 7.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-905(a)-(b)

§ 12-4-905. Animals running at large prohibited. (a) Scope. This section does not apply to an eartipped community cat. (b) Prohibition. A domesticated animal may not be at large. An owner of an animal at large is in violation of this section.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-504(f)

(f) Spay or neuter conditions. If a dog or cat that is not spayed or neutered is impounded two times within a 12-month period, the owner shall have the animal spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense prior to redemption unless the owner appeals to the Commission within five days after the date of the condition being imposed and the Director, following a recommendation from the Commission, wa...

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-504(j)

(j) Microchipping. An impounded animal shall be microchipped at the owner’s expense prior to redemption if, within the 24 months prior to the impoundment, the owner of the animal was found guilty, placed on probation before judgment for, or paid a civil citation for a violation of §§ 12-4-402, 12-4-903, 12-4-904, 12-4-905, or 12-4-906.

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-805

The operator of a pet shop or a grooming parlor shall provide: (1) water at a minimum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit for washing and disinfecting cages, or another approved method of disinfecting; (2) cages or enclosures, made of nonporous material, that are of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, turn around, and stretch out to its full length, and maintained in a sanitary ...

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-805

The operator of a pet shop or a grooming parlor shall provide: (1) water at a minimum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit for washing and disinfecting cages, or another approved method of disinfecting; (2) cages or enclosures, made of nonporous material, that are of sufficient size to allow each animal to stand up, turn around, and stretch out to its full length, and maintained in a sanitary ...

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-11-103

An animal hospital or veterinary clinic shall comply with all of the following requirements. (1) All structures, enclosed coops, and enclosed runs for the housing or shelter of animals and fowl shall be located at least 50 feet from residentially zoned property. (2) Unenclosed coops and runs shall be located at least 100 feet from residentially zoned property. (3) The housing of animals may not...

Anne Arundel County Code § 18-10-113

A bird sanctuary shall comply with all of the following requirements. (1) The facility shall be located on a lot of at least three acres. (2) Buildings and enclosures for the housing or shelter of birds shall be at least 100 feet from any residentially zoned property and birds may not be housed within the 100-foot setback. ... (4) The bird sanctuary shall be operated by an entity exempt from ta...

Anne Arundel County Code § 12-4-709

(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.