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Right to Farm in Washington County, MD (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Maryland.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Farm Nuisance Protection

A farm operating on agricultural land in Washington County cannot be sued as a nuisance for interfering with neighboring use or enjoyment of property, as long as it follows Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices, under the county's Right to Farm Ordinance.

Right to Farm Protection, Washington County, MD

Some Restrictions

Right to Farm Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland, Article 3, § 301(a)

A private action may not be sustained with respect to an Agricultural Operation conducted on Agricultural Land on the grounds that the Agricultural Operation interferes or has interfered with the use or enjoyment of real property, whether public or private, if the Agricultural Operation was, at the time the interference is alleged to arise, conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Agricu...

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Washington County, Maryland's Right to Farm Ordinance bars nuisance and trespass lawsuits against a farm on Agricultural Land as long as it follows Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices. Under Section 301, a neighbor cannot even file suit over noise, odor, dust or similar farm impacts until the Agricultural Reconciliation Board issues a final decision on the dispute.

Washington County, MD Right to Farm Protections

Some Restrictions

Right to Farm Ordinance for Washington County, Maryland § 301 (Limitation of Actions)

(a) Private action. A private action may not be sustained with respect to an Agricultural Operation conducted on Agricultural Land on the grounds that the Agricultural Operation interferes or has interfered with the use or enjoyment of real property, whether public or private, if the Agricultural Operation was, at the time the interference is alleged to arise, conducted in accordance with Gener...

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