7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Montgomery County allows backyard hens with a permit under County Code Ch 5. Limit of 5 hens per lot. Roosters are prohibited in residential zones. Coops must be 25 feet from neighboring dwellings. Annual registration with Animal Services is required.
Montgomery County requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. Rabies vaccination required statewide. MD Criminal Law §10-619 covers dangerous dogs.
Maryland’s Tracey’s Law (2014) treats all dog breeds equally under negligence standard. No breed-specific strict liability. Dangerous dogs behavior-based.
Montgomery County permits beekeeping on residential lots under Maryland Agriculture Article Sec 5-501 et seq. State registration with the Maryland Department of Agriculture Apiary Inspection Program is required. No county-specific permit needed. Hives should face away from neighboring property and public areas.
Maryland Agriculture Article Section 5-501 (Bees - Definitions)
Section 5-501. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Abandoned apiary" means an apiary where a beekeeper fails to maintain a colony. (c) "Apiary" means a place where one or more bee colonies may be maintained. (d) "Appliance" means any device used in handling bees, hives, honey, or wax. (e) "Bee" means the common honey bee, apis mellifera, at any stage of de...
Montgomery County Code §5-202 prohibits possession of any animal declared dangerous or a threat to public health. Exotic birds may not be kept in an aviary within 100 feet of another person's dwelling or workplace. MD Natural Resources §10-901+ regulates certain exotic species statewide.
Montgomery County prohibits feeding deer and other wildlife under County Code Ch 5, Section 5-102. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) concerns drive strict enforcement. Deer overpopulation is a significant issue with managed hunting programs in county parks. Bird feeders are exempt but must not attract deer.
Montgomery County restricts livestock to agricultural (AR) zones under Zoning Ordinance Ch 59. Residential zones prohibit cattle, horses, goats, pigs, and sheep. Minimum lot size of 5 acres required for large livestock in AR zones. All livestock must be registered with Animal Services.
3 cities in Montgomery County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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