Right to Farm in Howard County, MD (2026)
1 rule for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Farm Nuisance Protection
Howard County's Right-To-Farm Act, Section 12.111, blocks nuisance lawsuits against established agricultural operations in the Rural Conservation and Rural Residential zoning districts. A farm that predates a neighbor's land-use change, or has run for a year or more without complaint, cannot be sued for ordinary noise, dust, or odor if it follows accepted farming practices.
Howard County Right-to-Farm Act Shields Farms From Suits
Few RestrictionsHoward County Code § 12.111
(a)Short Title. This section shall be known and may be cited as the Howard County Right-To-Farm Act, Bill No. 22, 1989...(d)Protection for Agricultural Operations. In RC and RR zoning districts, and on property that has an agricultural use assessment as determined by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, an agricultural operation may not legally be considered a public or private nui...
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