Animal Ordinances in Howard County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Howard County has no numeric permit for backyard chickens in its general code; instead, unclean facilities for domestic animals and poultry are treated as a public-health nuisance the Health Officer can order corrected. Established farms in the county's rural zoning districts are separately shielded from nuisance suits under the county's Right-to-Farm Act.
Poultry and Livestock Nuisance Rules in Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 12.110(a)(2); § 12.111(d)
A nuisance includes water pollution, contaminated wells, open and abandoned wells, overflowing sewage, infestation with insects, vermin or rodents, unclean facilities for domestic animals and poultry, air pollution, improper refuse disposal, a hazard caused by the presence of lead paint or lead paint dust, or violations of food establishment regulations adopted pursuant to this subtitle. ... In...
Dog Leash Laws
Howard County governs every resident, including unincorporated Columbia and Ellicott City. A domesticated animal must be on a leash and under the control of a responsible person whenever it is off the owner's property; a dog off-property and unrestrained is "at large."
Dog Leash & At-Large Rules in Howard County
Some RestrictionsMd. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-1901(c)
The owner of a dog is liable for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog, while the dog is running at large, unless the injury, death, or loss was caused to the body or property of a person who was ... committing or attempting to commit a trespass ... or teasing, tormenting, abusing, or provoking the dog.
Breed Restrictions
Howard County does not ban any dog breed. Maryland repealed its pit-bull-specific liability rule in 2014, and dog liability is now applied "without regard to the breed or heritage of the dog." County rules target a dog's behavior, not its breed.
Dog Breed Restrictions in Howard County
Some RestrictionsMd. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-1901(b)
In an action against a person other than an owner of a dog for damages for personal injury or death caused by the dog, the common law of liability relating to attacks by dogs against humans that existed on April 1, 2012, is retained as to the person without regard to the breed or heritage of the dog.
Exotic Pets
Wild or exotic animals may not be kept as pets in Howard County, and Maryland law separately bans possessing dangerous exotic species such as bears, big cats, alligators, foxes and raccoons statewide. County rules cover companion dogs and cats, not wildlife.
Exotic & Wild Pets in Howard County
Some RestrictionsMd. Code, Criminal Law §10-621
A person may not import into the State, offer for sale, trade, barter, possess, breed, or exchange a live: (i) fox, skunk, raccoon, or bear; (ii) caiman, alligator, or crocodile; (iii) member of the cat family other than the domestic cat.
Pet Limits
Howard County sets no flat cap on how many pets a household can own, but keeping more than four dogs or cats over four months old, or more than 15 younger ones, in one location triggers the county's private animal shelter license unless the household is a registered 'dog or cat fancier.' Fanciers, defined as three or more registered dogs or cats, follow separate licensing and breeding limits instead.
Howard County: Four Pets Before Shelter Rules Apply
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 17.322(a)
(4)This subtitle applies to a private animal shelter that:(i)Houses, in one location, more than the following number and type of domesticated animals, except livestock and poultry:a.For dogs and cats:i.Four age four months or older; andii.Fifteen under the age of four months; andb.For other domesticated animals:i.Ten age four months or older; andii.Fifteen under the age of four months; and(ii)R...
Cat Rules
Howard County requires cats, like dogs, to be licensed annually and kept currently vaccinated against rabies from four months of age. Cats must not run at large onto neighbors' property, but the county has no strict cat leash mandate.
Cat Rules in Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County Animal Control Laws (County Code Title 17, Subtitle 3)
Pet owners must continuously maintain a rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets that are four months of age and older.
Microchipping
Howard County still requires every licensed dog and cat to wear its license tag, but Section 17.301 exempts an animal with a microchip implanted under the skin from that tag-wearing rule, as long as the chip carries the owner's identifying information. Animal Control also keeps microchip numbers on file cross-referenced to each pet's license record.
Microchipped Pets Skip the Tag in Howard County
Light RestrictionsHoward County Code § 17.301(c)
(c)License Tag:(1)License tag issued. The Director shall issue an individual license tag for each dog and cat licensed, and upon payment of a replacement fee by the owner shall issue a duplicate if the tag is lost.(2)Tag to be worn; tag nontransferable. Each dog and cat licensed shall wear the tag issued for it attached to a collar or harness. A license tag shall not be obscured or defaced in a...
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