Maryland Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits & Registration Rules by City and County

Last Updated: June 22, 2026

Planning to keep backyard chickens in Maryland? While there is no statewide cap on flock sizes, local regulations vary significantly by municipality. Maryland is a major poultry producing state; consequently, all poultry owners, regardless of the number of birds, must register their premises with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) pursuant to Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-804. This registration is free, mandatory, and critical for tracking avian diseases such as influenza.

Statewide Oversight & Registration

Under § 3-804, all poultry keepers must complete a premises registration form with the MDA. There are no exemptions for small or backyard flocks. This mandate ensures animal health officials can effectively identify at-risk premises during disease outbreaks.

Compliance & Planning

Verify Local Zoning: Flock limits, rooster prohibitions, and mandatory setbacks (distance from property lines or neighboring dwellings) are determined strictly by local county or city ordinances.
Check HOA Covenants: Private Homeowners Association (HOA) rules often override local zoning. Check your specific covenants, as many prohibit coops entirely or impose aesthetic standards (e.g., hidden enclosures).
Permitting: Many jurisdictions require an annual permit (fees typically $25–$100), neighbor notification, or site inspections.
Biosecurity: Maintain clean, sanitary facilities to avoid odor, pest, or noise complaints. Poor maintenance is the most common cause for zoning citations and permit revocation.

Maryland Official Source: Maryland Poultry Regulations

Select a county below to view detailed ordinances for cities and towns:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are roosters allowed in Maryland cities and residential zones?

Roosters are strictly prohibited in the vast majority of Maryland municipalities and residential zones due to noise ordinances. They are generally only permitted in rural or large agricultural-zoned areas.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Maryland?

Yes, many municipalities require a local permit. Additionally, all poultry owners in Maryland are legally required to complete a free premises registration with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) pursuant to Md. Code Ann., Agric. § 3-804.

How many chickens can I have within Baltimore, MD city limits?

Baltimore City allows chickens based on lot size: 4 hens for lots under 2,000 sq. ft., and 1 hen per 1,000 sq. ft. for larger lots, up to a maximum of 10. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Columbia, MD limits?

Columbia, which is a planned community in Howard County, typically follows county-level accessory use regulations which generally permit up to 6 hens. Roosters are prohibited.

How many chickens can I have within Germantown, MD limits?

Germantown, located in Montgomery County, permits chickens on residential properties. While there is no strict cap on the number of birds, they must be kept at least 100 feet from neighboring dwellings.

How many chickens can I have within Silver Spring, MD limits?

Silver Spring, located in Montgomery County, generally allows for chicken keeping provided they are housed at least 100 feet from adjacent dwellings. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Frederick, MD city limits?

Frederick, MD allows up to 6 hens in residential zones with an approved permit. Roosters are prohibited.

Maryland Ordinances by City & County

Find your Maryland city or town below for detailed rules regarding your local limits.

⚠️ Important: Maryland ordinances may change without notice. Always verify the current rules with your local jurisdiction before even building your coop.

Allegany County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cumberland, MD

Frostburg, MD

Lonaconing & Westernport, MD

Unincorporated Places in Allegany County

Anne Arundel County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Annapolis, MD

Unincorporated Places in Anne Arundel County

Includes: Arnold, Crofton, Glen Burnie, Odenton, Pasadena, Severna Park, etc.

Baltimore City & Brooklyn

Baltimore County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Note: All listed towns (Catonsville, Dundalk, Owings Mills, Towson, etc.) are unincorporated communities.

Calvert County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Chesapeake Beach, MD

North Beach, MD

Unincorporated Places in Calvert County

Includes: Dunkirk, Huntingtown, Lusby, Owings, Prince Frederick, etc.

Caroline County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Denton, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Ch. 10 | Source: dentonmaryland.com

Ridgely, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §64-4 | Source: ecode360.com

Federalsburg, Greensboro, Marydel & Preston, MD

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Municipal Code | Source: Local Town Offices

Unincorporated Places in Caroline County

Hen Limit: No limit | Roosters: Allowed | Section: Zoning Code | Source: carolinecounty.org

Carroll County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Hampstead, MD

Hen Limit: 8 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §135-20 | Source: ecode360.com

Manchester, MD

Hen Limit: 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §65-1.1 | Source: ecode360.com

Taneytown, MD

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §205-35.5 | Source: ecode360.com

Westminster, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: General Provisions | Source: ecode360.com

Unincorporated Places in Carroll County

Includes: Finksburg, New Windsor, Sykesville, Union Bridge.

Hen Limit: Permitted | Roosters: Allowed | Section: Zoning | Source: carrollcountymd.gov

Cecil County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Elkton, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §4-2024 | Source: elkton.org

North East, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Code | Source: northeastmd.org

Perryville, MD

Hen Limit: Prohibited | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §84 | Source: perryvillemd.org

Chesapeake City, MD

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Municipal Code | Source: Local Town Offices

Unincorporated Places in Cecil County

Includes: Colora, Conowingo, Earleville, Port Deposit, Rising Sun.

Hen Limit: 6-8 hens | Roosters: Not specified | Section: Bill 2021-16 | Source: cecilcountymd.gov

Charles County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Indian Head, MD

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §128-4 | Source: townofindianhead.org

La Plata, MD

Hen Limit: 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §191-15 | Source: townoflaplata.org

Unincorporated Places in Charles County

Includes: Waldorf, Bryans Road, Hughesville, Nanjemoy, Pomfret, etc.

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §297-210 | Source: charlescountymd.gov

Dorchester County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cambridge, MD

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Zoning | Source: choosecambridge.com

East New Market & Hurlock, MD

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Municipal Code | Source: Local Town Offices

Unincorporated Places in Dorchester County

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Section: Not specified | Source: dorchestercountymd.com

Frederick County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Emmitsburg, MD

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §6.16 | Source: emmitsburg.net

Thurmont, MD

Hen Limit: 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §65 | Source: thurmontmd.gov

Frederick, Middletown, Mount Airy, Myersville, New Market, Walkersville, Woodsboro, Brunswick, MD

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: Local Ordinance | Source: Local Town Offices

Unincorporated Places in Frederick County

Includes: Adamstown, Ijamsville, Jefferson, Knoxville, Point of Rocks, etc.

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not allowed | Section: §1-19-8.325 | Source: frederickcountymd.gov

Garrett County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, Oakland, Swanton.

Accident, MD

Friendsville, MD

Grantsville, MD

Oakland, MD

Unincorporated Places in Garrett County

Includes: Swanton and rural areas.

Harford County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Aberdeen, Bel Air, Havre de Grace.

Aberdeen, MD

Bel Air, MD

Havre de Grace, MD

Unincorporated Places in Harford County

Includes: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Abingdon, Belcamp, Churchville, Darlington, Edgewood, Fallston, Forest Hill, Jarrettsville, Joppa, Pylesville, Street, White Hall, Whiteford.

Howard County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Unincorporated Places: Clarksville, Columbia, Dayton, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Glenelg, Glenwood, Highland, Jessup, Marriottsville, Savage, West Friendship, Woodbine, and Woodstock

Kent County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Chestertown, MD

Galena, MD

Millington, MD

Rock Hall, MD

Unincorporated Places in Kent County

Includes: Worton and rural areas.

Montgomery County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Brookeville, Gaithersburg, Kensington, Poolesville, Rockville, Takoma Park.

Brookeville, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Kensington, MD

Poolesville, MD

Rockville, MD

Takoma Park, MD

Unincorporated Places in Montgomery County

Includes: Ashton, Bethesda, Boyds, Burtonsville, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Damascus, Derwood, Dickerson, Germantown, Montgomery Village, Olney, Potomac, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring.

Hen Limit: No hen limit | Roosters: Not specified (subject to nuisance ordinance) | Permit: Not required (State Poultry Registration recommended) | Setback: At least 100ft from the nearest neighbor's residence | Section: Zoning Ordinance | Source: montgomerycountymd.gov

Prince George's County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Berwyn Heights, Bladensburg, Bowie, Brentwood, Capitol Heights, Cheverly, College Park, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, District Heights, Eagle Harbor, Edmonston, Fairmount Heights, Forest Heights, Glenarden, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Landover Hills, Laurel, Morningside, Mount Rainier, New Carrollton, North Brentwood, Riverdale Park, Seat Pleasant, University Park, Upper Marlboro.

Bowie, MD

College Park, MD

Greenbelt, MD

Hyattsville, MD

Laurel, MD

Upper Marlboro, MD

Unincorporated Places in Prince George's County

Includes: Accokeek, Andrews AFB, Beltsville, Brandywine, Capitol Heights, Cheltenham, Clinton, Fort Washington, Glenn Dale, Lanham, Oxon Hill, Suitland, Temple Hills.

Hen Limit: Restricted (Agricultural zones/R-O-S, R-A, R-E only) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Special permit required for R-80, R-55, R-R zones | Setback: At least 25ft from the nearest neighbor's residence | Section: § 27-441 | Source: princegeorgescountymd.gov

Queen Anne's County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Barclay, Centreville, Church Hill, Millington, Queen Anne, Queenstown, Sudlersville, Templeville.

Centreville, MD

Church Hill, MD

Queenstown, MD

Barclay, Millington, Queen Anne, Sudlersville, Templeville, MD

Unincorporated Places in Queen Anne's County

Includes: Chester, Grasonville, Stevensville.

Somerset County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Crisfield, Princess Anne, Westover.

Crisfield, MD

Princess Anne, MD

Westover, MD

Unincorporated Places in Somerset County

St. Mary's County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Leonardtown.

Leonardtown, MD

Unincorporated Places in St. Mary's County

Includes: California, Great Mills, Hollywood, Lexington Park, Mechanicsville.

Talbot County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Easton, Saint Michaels, Trappe.

Easton, MD

Saint Michaels, MD

Trappe, MD

Unincorporated Places in Talbot County

Includes: Cordova and rural areas.

Washington County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Smithsburg, Williamsport.

Hagerstown, MD

Smithsburg, MD

Boonsboro, Clear Spring, Hancock, Keedysville, Sharpsburg, Williamsport, MD

Unincorporated Places in Washington County

Wicomico County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Delmar, Fruitland, Hebron, Mardela Springs, Pittsville, Salisbury, Willards.

Salisbury, MD

Delmar, Fruitland, Hebron, Mardela Springs, Pittsville, Willards, MD

Unincorporated Places in Wicomico County

Includes: Eden, Parsonsburg.

Hen Limit: No limit for personal use | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required (State Poultry Registration) | Setback: 100ft from property lines for commercial poultry structures (personal coops <256 sq ft subject to general nuisance laws) | Section: Bill 2016-11; § 225-106 | Source: wicomicocounty.org

Worcester County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Berlin, Ocean City, Pocomoke City, Snow Hill.

Berlin, MD

Ocean City, MD

Pocomoke City, MD

Snow Hill, MD

Unincorporated Places in Worcester County

Includes: Bishopville and rural areas.

Predator Risks in Maryland

Maryland's mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas brings raccoons, foxes, opossums, hawks, and owls. Urban flocks face more scavengers; eastern shore and rural areas see coyotes and foxes. Avian flu monitoring is strict via MDA.

Use hardware cloth (not chicken wire) and secure locks.
Bury mesh 12 or more inches to deter diggers.
Roof runs to block aerial attacks.
Keep coops clean to reduce pests and disease attraction.

Selling Backyard Eggs & Poultry in Maryland

Small flocks (less than approximately 500 birds) can sell clean, ungraded eggs direct-to-consumer with proper labeling (e.g., "UNGRADED EGGS", name/address, safe handling). Larger or commercial sales require MDA licensing/grading. No sales of live poultry without permit (except immediate slaughter). Biosecurity and reporting remain key.

Exemptions: Small-scale direct sales often allowed without full grading.
Note: MDA permit needed for broader sales.

Maryland State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Maryland follows the federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) but adds state‑level requirements for anyone selling poultry within Maryland. Small flock owners may process birds at home for personal consumption, but commercial sales are tightly regulated unless the producer qualifies for Maryland’s voluntary certification program.

Personal Use: Maryland allows residents to slaughter and process poultry they raised themselves for their own household without inspection or licensing, as long as the meat is not sold and the processing is done in a sanitary manner. This falls under the federal “personal use exemption” in 9 CFR §381.10.
Commercial Sale: Producers may sell up to 20,000 birds per year under federal exemption, but Maryland law restricts these sales to direct-to-consumer on-farm transactions unless the producer participates in the state’s voluntary certification program. Certified producers are recognized as an “approved source” and may sell poultry anywhere within Maryland, including to restaurants and retailers. Meat cannot be ground under this program.
Humane Standards: All poultry must be handled humanely during slaughter, consistent with Maryland animal cruelty statutes and federal humane handling expectations. While exempt operations are not continuously inspected, they must still prevent unnecessary suffering and maintain sanitary conditions during processing.
Nuisance Laws: Local jurisdictions may regulate or restrict slaughter activities if they create odors, attract pests, or otherwise violate municipal nuisance codes. Cities and counties may impose additional zoning or sanitation requirements beyond state law, and these local rules take precedence for residential properties. (Check your city code via Municode or eCode360 for the most current local regulations.)

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully in Maryland?

Ready to build your coop? Follow our Step-by-Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide and construct a sturdy, well-ventilated coop designed to handle Maryland's humid, hot summers, unpredictable wet seasons, and moderate winters.

Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Old Line State. From selecting breeds that thrive in Maryland's humidity to managing common local pests and protecting your flock from regional predators like foxes, raccoons, opossums, and hawks, our guides help you maintain a productive, neighborhood-friendly flock.

Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide

Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. Information is for general reference only, based on public sources at time of publication. Local laws, zoning, and HOA rules change frequently. Always verify directly with your city, county, planning department, animal control, or HOA for your address. See our full Disclaimer & Legal Notice.

Statewide Oversight & Registration

Compliance & Planning

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Are roosters allowed in Maryland cities and residential zones?

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Maryland?

How many chickens can I have within Baltimore, MD city limits?

How many chickens can I have within Columbia, MD limits?

How many chickens can I have within Germantown, MD limits?

How many chickens can I have within Silver Spring, MD limits?

How many chickens can I have within Frederick, MD city limits?

Maryland Ordinances by City & County

Allegany County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cumberland, MD

Frostburg, MD

Lonaconing & Westernport, MD

Unincorporated Places in Allegany County

Anne Arundel County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Annapolis, MD

Unincorporated Places in Anne Arundel County

Baltimore City & Brooklyn

Baltimore County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Calvert County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Chesapeake Beach, MD

North Beach, MD

Unincorporated Places in Calvert County

Caroline County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Denton, MD

Ridgely, MD

Federalsburg, Greensboro, Marydel & Preston, MD

Unincorporated Places in Caroline County

Carroll County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Hampstead, MD

Manchester, MD

Taneytown, MD

Westminster, MD

Unincorporated Places in Carroll County

Cecil County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Elkton, MD

North East, MD

Perryville, MD

Chesapeake City, MD

Unincorporated Places in Cecil County

Charles County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Indian Head, MD

La Plata, MD

Unincorporated Places in Charles County

Dorchester County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Cambridge, MD

East New Market & Hurlock, MD

Unincorporated Places in Dorchester County

Frederick County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Emmitsburg, MD

Thurmont, MD

Frederick, Middletown, Mount Airy, Myersville, New Market, Walkersville, Woodsboro, Brunswick, MD

Unincorporated Places in Frederick County

Garrett County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Accident, MD

Friendsville, MD

Grantsville, MD

Oakland, MD

Unincorporated Places in Garrett County

Harford County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Aberdeen, MD

Bel Air, MD

Havre de Grace, MD

Unincorporated Places in Harford County

Howard County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Kent County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Chestertown, MD

Galena, MD

Millington, MD

Rock Hall, MD

Unincorporated Places in Kent County

Montgomery County, Maryland Chicken Laws

Brookeville, MD

Gaithersburg, MD

Kensington, MD

Poolesville, MD

Rockville, MD