I’d like to keep a few chickens in our backyard and in a coop, but I’m having distress finding out the specific law regarding housing chickens within city limits. What department would I contact to find this out? FYI I’m in Harford County, Maryland. I have read laws concerning Baltimore County and Baltimore City and from one to the next, the laws are completely different, so I want to find something specific for my area before investing. Thanks!
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Why don’t you call your local animal control office. They would have the specific laws that pertain to you in your area.
Ive been to hartford county and there are plenty of farms out there so i doubt there is a law against it
But if you were to keep chickens in your backyard around here that would be a different tale (i live in baltimore city)
Call city hall, and question for zoning enforcement. Tell them what you have in mind, and question if it’s legal where you live. It may well be a matter of how your property is zoned.
If it’s not, question them for the process to get a variance so you can do this. Often it means speaking before a zoning board or its equivalent where you live, making your case, and hopefully they’ll allow you to do this.
Since you mention investing, I reckon it’s very vital that you mention this to the zoning enforcement officer, because the law might make a distinction between chickens kept as pets or for personal use as opposed to those used for commercial purposes.