Maryland Right to Farm Limits Local Livestock Restrictions

Md. Code Ann., Agriculture Sections 5-308 and 5-403 establish protections for agricultural operations that have been ongoing for at least one year and use generally accepted agricultural practices. Such operations cannot be deemed a public or private nuisance, and counties have a state-mandated agricultural reconciliation process before nuisance lawsuits can proceed. Outside agricultural zones, residential keeping of chickens and livestock is regulated by local zoning. Each county or municipality sets its own rules on backyard poultry, lot sizes, and setbacks for hobby flocks not protected by Right to Farm.

Local zoning enforcement; nuisance suits barred only against protected operations; civil fines vary locally.