Laws Of Backyard Chickens In MD????

[Horse&Chicken Lover]

Im planning on getting Chickens in August. I only live on like .3 acres of land. Does anybody know If theres any laws in md about having chickens??

 

[pipermark]

Laws differ from state to state, county to county and city to city. The best thing to do is go down to city hall and ask to see the ordinance summary book.

You could also try Googleing your city and or county in conjunction with the word ordinance, some municipalities have put them on line.

 

[jillthepill]

Hi --

I just registered so that I could respond to you -- so I haven't made my formal introduction yet, but anyway . . .

I am in Gaithersburg, MD. I called our city's Animal Control Division before deciding to get our chickens. They sent us all the rules: Limit = 6, no roosters, 5 feet from lot line, 30 feet from other dwellings. Great. Got the chicks, raised them, built a coop and run in keeping with the rules. Moved our 8 week chicks outside -- boom. Complaint. It seems Animal Control left out the ZONING rules of 25 feet from lot line and 75 feet from dwelling! !!!

So . . . beware. Our lot is about the size of yours -- I'm not sure there IS a place on our lot that will conform to the zoning laws now. I could just scream. We will fight it, but what a headache.

Good luck.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Just saw this, check with city/town/county laws, and remember how your district is zoned can effect it too. Check a zoning map, your house, and neighbours house may be in different zones(they have to start and stop somewhere). Also if you live in a developement it may have ordinances that are specific just to that developement, again restricting what/how many you may keep.

As many on here have learned the hard way, its best to check and double check before getting them then being told you have to get rid of them.

 

[LilBizzy]

Welcome to BYC Horse&Chicken Lover and jillthepill from another Maryland resident.
I dont even know the rules here in my town, so I am of no help.

Hmm, maybe a 75 foot tall treehouse in the center of the yard for the chickens ? Jill, I do hope you can keep your chickens. That would totally bite. Personally, I believe if they allow dogs and cats, they should allow chickens. People are just misinformed about chickens.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Salisbury, MD ??? Do they even have laws that far south? I thought anything south of 50 was no mans land.

 

[LilBizzy]

Quote:
*shrug* I dunno if they have laws here- I sure can't find any. I live very close to the original Purdue farm. I figure if Purdue can have chickens, so can I!

 

[Thomas423]

HorseandChickenLover,
What county do you live in? Do you live in town limits? It might help someone to pass on knowledge to you.

 

[morninggloryhatchery]

I would check with the headquarters of your city to see if you can

 

[jillthepill]

LilBizzy -- Now THAT'S one I hadn't thought of! But there is a rule about things being taller than the main residence. Anyone else think there are too many rules??? !!!!

I TOTALLY agree about dogs and cats. They are accepted everywhere, yet they are louder, dirtier, possibly more destructive. People just need to be educated.

I just love it when so-called "green communities" turn up their noses at chicken keeping.

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