Animal Ordinances in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
12 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Baltimore County Code 12-2-402 lets a person keep hens on an owner-occupied lot under one acre only with a license from Permits, Approvals and Inspections, consistent with Zoning Regulations §§100.6 and 418. Roosters are banned on lots under one acre.
Backyard hens allowed under one acre with license
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-2-402
A person may only own or keep a hen on an owner-occupied property that is less than one acre ... in accordance with a license issued by the Director. ... A person may not own or keep a rooster on a lot that is less than one acre.
Dog Leash Laws
Baltimore County Code § 12-3-110 flatly bars owners from letting any animal run at large. The code defines "at large" as off the owner's property and not on a leash, cord or chain under the owner's control, with narrow exceptions for permitted dog parks, hunting and neighbor-permitted visits.
Baltimore County Bans Dogs and Other Animals At Large
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code §§ 12-1-101(c), 12-3-110
§ 12-3-110. - ANIMAL AT LARGE PROHIBITED. An owner of an animal may not allow the animal to be an animal at large... Animal at large.(1)(i)"Animal at large" means any animal off the premises of its owner and not under the control, charge, or possession of the owner or other responsible person.(ii)"Animal at large" includes any dog off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the o...
Breed Restrictions
Baltimore County has no breed-specific ban. Instead, the Health Officer can declare any individual animal "dangerous" for attacking someone, exhibiting aggression while unrestrained, or being exposed to rabies while unconfined, triggering impoundment, spay/neuter orders and up to a $1,000 civil penalty.
Baltimore County Bans by Behavior, Not Breed
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-8-101(c), § 12-8-102(a)
§ 12-8-101. - DEFINITIONS. (c)Dangerous animal.(1)"Dangerous animal" means an animal that has been declared by the Health Officer as posing a threat to the public health or safety... § 12-8-102. - DANGEROUS ANIMALS. (a)In general. An animal poses a threat to the public health or safety if the animal:(1)Attacks or injures a person or a domestic animal;(2)Exhibits aggressive or dangerous behavior...
Beekeeping
Baltimore County allows backyard beehives but bans keeping one unless it is enclosed. Any hive within 200 feet of a neighboring property line needs a 4-foot fence, hedge or natural barrier set back 4 feet from the line, with a locked gate whenever the beekeeper isn't present.
Baltimore County Backyard Beehive Enclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-1-106
(a)"Beehive" defined. In this section, "beehive" means a moveable-frame enclosure for the housing of honeybees.(b)Prohibited. A person may not maintain a beehive on the person's property unless the beehive is enclosed as required under this section.(c)Required enclosures. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person maintaining a beehive located within 200 feet of an adjoining...
Exotic Pets
Baltimore County Code 12-7-101 bars keeping a wild animal on your premises for any purpose without the Health Officer's approval. A permit issued by Permits, Approvals and Inspections requires all applicable state and federal permits. Maryland also bans dangerous exotics like big cats and primates.
Wild or exotic animals need a county permit
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-7-101
A person may not keep or allow to be kept on the person's premises a wild animal for any purposes without the approval of the Health Officer.(c)Application requirements. An application for a permit to keep a wild animal shall be accompanied by the appropriate state and federal permits where required.(d)Permit issued. The Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections may issue a permit on rec...
Pet Limits
Baltimore County has no ordinance named 'hoarding,' but Article 12's cruelty, care, and sanitation rules cover it. Owners must supply wholesome food and water, keep stables and outbuildings free of filth and stench, and may not cruelly treat or neglect animals. Overcrowding can trigger seizure.
Hoarding addressed through cruelty and care rules
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-3-103; § 12-3-101; § 12-3-102
A person may not: (1) Beat, cruelly treat, torment, overload, overwork, or otherwise abuse any animal ... A person may not abandon an animal on public or private property.
Cat Rules
Baltimore County requires cats over four months to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies (12-5-102). Cats count toward the three-animal 'fancier' threshold. A female cat in heat may not be left outdoors, and the code recognizes a Trap-Neuter-Return feral-cat program.
Cats: licensing, rabies shots, and TNR
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-4-102; § 12-5-102
The owner, agent, or custodian of any female dog or cat in oestrus "heat" shall guard and protect the dog or cat so that she will not be out of doors except: (1) Within a fenced area on the owner's property on a leash and accompanied by the owner ...
Microchipping
Baltimore County does not require microchipping, but the Animal Services Division may implant a chip free of charge when it vaccinates a dog or cat against rabies, and can microchip an impounded animal at redemption at the Division's own expense.
Baltimore County Offers Free Microchipping at Licensing
Few RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 12-2-204(d)
(d)Licensing and microchipping through Animal Services Division.(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the owner of a dog or cat has had the dog or cat vaccinated against rabies by the Animal Services Division, the Animal Services Division may issue the owner a license free of charge.(2)The Animal Services Division may offer to place a microchip in the dog or cat free of charge. (19...
Coyote Management
Hunting and trapping wildlife in Baltimore County parks is banned, but the Department of Recreation and Parks may authorize nighttime Deer Cooperator Program culls to reduce overpopulated protected wildlife, with venison donated to food banks.
Baltimore County Parks: Deer Cooperator Culls Allowed
Significant RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 30-1-201(a), (b)
(a)Hunting. A person may not:(1)Hunt on any lands in the county under the control and supervision of the Department;(2)Hunt, trap, or remove wildlife except, as authorized by the Director, for scientific study, environmental education, or wildlife management purposes... (b)Exceptions.(1)In this subsection, "Deer Cooperator Program" means a program conducted by the United States Department of Ag...
Pet Groomer Rules
BCZR § 421.6 requires animal grooming facilities to meet the same minimum care standards as holding facilities under County Code § 12-6-103, and § 421.7 bars a grooming facility from being noxious or objectionable to surrounding residential uses.
Baltimore County Animal Grooming Facility Standards
Some RestrictionsBCZR § 421.6; § 421.7; Baltimore County Code § 12-6-103
§ 421.6. - Animal grooming facility standards. The operator of an animal grooming facility shall comply with the minimum standards established for a holding facility in § 12-6-103 of the Baltimore County Code. § 421.7. - Effect of animal grooming facilities on residential uses. An animal grooming facility may not be noxious, offensive or otherwise objectionable to surrounding residential uses. ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Baltimore County Zoning Regulations Section 421.3 lets a veterinarian's office or veterinarium locate in a residential zone only as a special exception, on a lot of at least two acres, with every part of the use at least 100 feet from the nearest property line. Outside residential zones the practice follows the district's regular use table instead.
Baltimore County Veterinary Office Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsBCZR §§ 101, 421.3
VETERINARIAN'S OFFICE — An office which is maintained by a veterinarian for the treatment of animals and in which no animal is kept overnight. VETERINARIUM — Any building or portion thereof which is used, intended to be used or arranged primarily for treatment of animals by a veterinarian, where overnight care is allowed, and where all areas used for treatment or housing of animals are odorproo...
Bird Protection
Baltimore County designated a roughly 21-acre tract around the Doncaster Village Condominium in the Ninth Election District as a bird sanctuary. Inside that boundary, it is a misdemeanor to injure or kill a wild bird or wild fowl, or to rob or destroy their nests, with fines up to $500.
Baltimore County's Doncaster Village Bird Sanctuary
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Code § 17-1-114
(b)Prohibited acts; penalty; exceptions.(1)It is unlawful within the area described in (a) to physically abuse, injure or kill in any manner any wild bird or wild fowl, or to rob or destroy any wild bird nests or wild fowl nests. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $500.(2)This subsection do...
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