Animal Ordinances in Worcester County, MD (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, § ZS 1-349 sorts poultry farms into small, medium and large operations by the number of poultry housing units and tunnel ventilation, caps any parcel at eight housing units, and requires a 200-foot front, side and rear setback for every structure of the operation.
Worcester County MD Poultry Operation Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § ZS 1-349
POULTRY HOUSING UNIT A single poultry house with a gross floor area of forty-four thousand square feet or less. POULTRY OPERATION, SMALL A farm containing not more than one poultry housing unit and which does not utilize a tunnel ventilation system. POULTRY OPERATION, MEDIUM A farm containing at least two but not more than four poultry housing units or a farm with only one poultry housing unit ...
Dog Leash Laws
In Worcester County, Maryland, § PS 2-101(i) makes it unlawful to permit a dog, cat or other animal to run at large, and § PS 2-101(s) requires a leash in designated leash areas. The Ocean Pines area and posted County-owned property are leash areas. Impounded animals are held at least three business days.
Worcester County Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-101
(i) Animals not to run at large; impoundment. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit a dog, cat or other animal owned or harbored by him to run at large. ... (s) Dogs required to be on leash. In any area described as a leash area in Subsection (t) hereof, it shall be unlawful for any person, or guest of such person, to knowingly, unknowingly, inadvertently, or intentionally permit a dog ...
Breed Restrictions
Worcester County, Maryland, defines a vicious dog in § PS 2-101 by conduct: vicious tendencies shown by demonstrated behavior, or a dog meeting the state definition of a dangerous dog. The dog definition also expressly reaches animals crossbred with the wolf. A vicious dog is held until the Animal Control Warden is satisfied it is safe to release.
Worcester County Vicious Dog and Wolf Crossbreed Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-101
DOG An animal of the Canis Familiaris species, including those animals that have been crossbred with the species Canis Lupus, commonly known as a “wolf.” ... VICIOUS DOG Any dog that has vicious tendencies by virtue of its demonstrated behavior or meets the definition of a "dangerous dog" under state law. ... (h) Animals with vicious tendencies or rabies. No animal which the Animal Control Ward...
Pet Limits
Worcester County, Maryland, prints thresholds rather than a flat household cap in § PS 2-101. More than five dogs or cats over four months old kept for commercial purposes make a commercial kennel, while no more than eight kept for personal use or companionship fall outside that definition. Kennels need a license from the Animal Control Warden.
Worcester County Pet Limits: Dogs and Cats Per Property
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-101
KENNEL, COMMERCIAL An establishment which maintains for commercial breeding, treatment, boarding, sale, leasing, rental, training or exhibition a pack or collection of more than five dogs, cats or an aggregate thereof, over four months of age, on the premises for any period of time, other than a licensed veterinary facility. A commercial kennel shall not include any person who maintains no more...
Cat Rules
In Worcester County, Maryland, § PS 2-102 requires a license for any cat over four months of age, issued after proof of a current rabies vaccination. The license lasts as long as the vaccination does, and a cat off its owner's property must wear its individual license tag on a collar or harness.
Worcester County Cat License and Tag Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-102
§ PS 2-102. Dog and cat licenses. (a) License required. No person shall own or have custody of any dog or cat over four months of age unless such dog or cat is licensed as herein provided. This provision shall not apply to dogs or cats in the county for thirty days or less which are owned by a nonresident, provided that such dogs or cats are fully licensed in their home city, county or state. (...
Coyote Management
In Worcester County, Maryland, § PS 2-104 gives the Animal Control Warden or Sheriff responsibility to seize, destroy, and control wild animals, other than deer, causing damage or danger to citizens. The authority is subject to state and federal preemption, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources must be consulted. The section does not name coyotes.
Worcester County Wild Animal Control Rules
Light RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-104
§ PS 2-104. Control of wild animals. ... Subject to state and federal preemption, the Animal Control Warden or Sheriff as designated pursuant to § PS 2-101 of this Subtitle to administer this Subtitle shall have the responsibility to seize, destroy, and control wild animals, other than deer, causing damage or danger to citizens of the County or sojourners herein. The Maryland Department of Natu...
Pet Store Rules
Worcester County, Maryland, sets its sale rules in § PS 2-102(h): any breeder must have puppies and kittens examined by a licensed veterinarian within four weeks of birth, and the animals must be dewormed and vaccinated before being sold. Establishments keeping more than five dogs or cats for sale need a commercial kennel license.
Worcester County Puppy and Kitten Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § PS 2-102
(h) Commercial kennel licenses. ... (1) No person or entity shall operate a commercial kennel without first obtaining a commercial kennel license from the Animal Control Warden. Each lot or parcel shall be considered a separate establishment requiring an individual license. Animals kept as a part of a commercial kennel must meet the rabies vaccination and license requirements of this Subtitle. ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, a veterinary clinic in the A-2 Agricultural District needs a special exception under § ZS 1-202(c)(14): a forty thousand square foot lot, two hundred feet of lot width, and outside pens and runways at least two hundred feet from any perimeter property line or public road right-of-way.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Unincorporated Worcester County
Some RestrictionsWorcester County Code § ZS 1-202(c)(14)
(c) Special exceptions. ... The following principal uses and structures may be permitted by special exception in the A-2 District in accordance with the provisions of § ZS 1-116(c) hereof: ... (14) Veterinary clinics and commercial kennels. Minimum lot requirements shall be: lot area, forty thousand square feet; lot width, two hundred feet; front yard setback, thirty-five feet [see § ZS 1-305(b...
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