GREAT NEWS in Montgomery County, MD!

[Amazonlover]

I live in Montgomery county and am VERY excited to have coop with a chicken or two in my backyard! Any idea when the new rules will be final and on the books?

 

[MoCoBYC]

That's great that you are thinking about getting chickens!

They might, or they might not. It's a big risk.

You can make a difference in our local, county legislation. We need the county council to hear your voice heard at a critical public hearing on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZTA 13-04) on November 12 or November 14. The hearing is at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 (full) and Thursday, Nov. 14 (3 slots open), or you can put yourself on a waiting list.

Read more about the issues: http://www.montgomerycountybackyardchickens.org

BTW, definitely get more than 1 chicken. They are sociable. If you are concerned about the impact, look at "bantam" breeds, which are smaller, and adorable.

 

[Amazonlover]

Thanks for the info. I was going to try to get on the 11/13 list (in the one open slot) but it looks like I might have to be out of town for work but I'll definitely send a letter in.

If this passes my next step will be getting a coop. I've already started looking at breeds and the bantams seem great, but then I also really want a buff Orpington, and maybe a Rhode Island Red and a New Hampshire. They all look so cute.

 

[petedean]

I just received a letter from Council President Navarro stating that the PHED committee voted not to change the set back requirements from the current law which would effectively ban any additional chickens in the county. She sounded like her expectation is that that is what the council will approve.

A link to the PHED committee discussion is below:
http://www.mymcmedia.org/phed-committee-discusses-farm-animals-in-residential-areas/

I have written Council member Elrich, who serves on the committee for clarifications but it looks bad for chickens and other farm animals in Montgomery County.

 

[BGChkn]

This is wonderful news! I was hoping someone on this thread might have information on whether or not I can keep a backyard flock in Boyds, MD. It is technically considered an agricultural reserve (so one would think this includes livestock). However, through numerous searches and phone calls I have not received an clear cut answer. One supervisor at the MoCo 311 stated that as long as I wasn't using the chickens for commercial use it was ok. Do you know if this new law extends to Boyds? It is considered MoCo and is outside of any city limits. -Thanks!

 

[petedean]

Things are looking up! Below is the draft that the Council will be debating in mid-January 2014. Please email ([email protected]), write or show up at the hearings! Please spread the word!

Soory for the strange formatting but that's what I could copy off the website (http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/development/zoning/documents/59-3.UsesPHEDFINAL12.16.13.pdf):

The bottom line looks like many more folks would be able to keep chickens if this passes as drafted!

Section 3.2.9.
Urban Farming
A.
Defined
Urban Farming
[is]
means
the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and
ornamental plants, as well as the limited keeping and raising of fowl or bees and
the practice of aquaculture.
B.
Use Standards
Where Urban Farming is allowed as a limited use, it must satisfy the following
standards:
1.
The minimum area for an urban farm is 2,500 square feet.
2.
One fowl may be kept for every 1,000 square feet of
[land]
lot or parcel
area;
roosters are prohibited.
3.
Aquaculture is permitted in tanks or pools.
4.
The maximum total gross floor area of all structures,including aquaculture
tanks or pools but excluding greenhouses, is 10% of the lot or parcel on any
urban farm.
5.
The minimum setback for accessory structures from any lot line is 15 feet.
6.
The maximum height for any accessory structure, including any pitched roof,
is 14 feet.
7.
Only manual or walk-behind mechanical equipment and practices commonly
used in residential gardening may be used.

B.
Animal Husbandry
1.
De
fi
ned
Animal Husbandry is the practice of raising hens, ducks, miniature goats,
rabbits, or bees.
2.
Use Standards
Where Animal Husbandry is allowed as a limited use, it must satisfy the fol
-
lowing standards:
a.
Any accessory structure used to house hens, ducks, miniature goats, or
rabbits must meet the setback requirements of an accessory structure
for the zone.

Chapter 59: Zoning Code
Montgomery County, Maryland
3
–
20
December 16
[May 2]
, 2013
[Planning Board]
PHED Committee
Draft
d.
One miniature goat may be kept for every 2,000 square feet of land
area and one hen, duck, or rabbit may be kept for every 1,000 square
feet of land area. A combined total of 8 animals is allowed per lot. When
calculating the number of animals allowed per lot, the square footage
designated for one animal cannot be used to satisfy the square footage
requirement of another animal.
e.
Roosters are prohibited.
f.
In the CRN, CRT, CR, GR, NR, LSC, EOF, IL, IM, and IH zones, only bees
are allowed.

 

[Amazonlover]

Has anyone heard any updates since this was debated? Is it going to pass? If so, when will it be official?

 

[hbhoffman]

Hi all! We are wondering what the status of the laws are for Montgomery County? Any news or updates? Haven't heard anything from our local BYC either.

 

[petedean]

Unfortunately the rules aren't changing. Below is the letter I got last week:

OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT


Dear Mr. Dean,

Thank you for your correspondence expressing your views on liberalizing the law with regard to the keeping of chickens, goats, bees, and other animals. I have shared your correspondence with my Council colleagues, and I am pleased to respond on their behalf.
In its January straw votes, the Council agreed with liberalizing the law for beekeeping, but retained the provisions of the current code for other animals. The Council was persuaded by the County Health Officer that allowing the closer proximity ofchickens and humans was not a good idea. I recognize that this is counter to your recommendation. The Council will take its final vote on March 4.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me. Your views are important and will help me in my deliberations on matters that affect residents of Montgomery County.

Sincerely,

Craig Rice
Council President

 

[Big Bubba]

***? I thought this vote was a done deal. I was sure they were going to vote to allow chickens. This burns my doo-dads!

I can't find any info on this vote. Do you know anything.

This blows. Guess I'll continue to be illegal.