Backyard Chickens in Baltimore, Maryland

Can you keep chickens in Baltimore?

Thinking about keeping hens in Charm City? Baltimore City allows backyard chickens with a permit, but caps flock size by lot area, bans roosters, and sets coop placement rules. Here's exactly what the city's own animal control code requires.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. Baltimore City's animal control regulations expressly permit residents to keep hens as an "allowed" livestock animal, subject to a permit and specific housing conditions (Code of Baltimore City Regulations, Title 13, Subtitle 03, Chapter 01, § .04(I)). Roosters are not permitted — the same chapter's prohibited-animals list bars "fowl other than domesticated hens and pigeons" (§ .03(B)(27)), which excludes roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl and similar poultry.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 10
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $80
Setback from property line: 15 ft.

Peggy knows Baltimore

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

A person permitted to keep a hen may keep four hens on a lot smaller than 2,000 square feet, plus one additional hen for every extra 1,000 square feet of lot area beyond 2,000 sq ft, up to a citywide maximum of 10 hens for ordinary residential properties (§ .04(I)(5)). Community farms/gardens or urban agricultural enterprises may apply for a separate permit allowing up to 50 hens on larger lots (§ .04(J)).

Coop/loft must be well-constructed, sanitary, and adequately sized (§ .04(I)(4)(a)-(b)).
Must provide shade in warm weather and protection from inclement weather and predation (§ .04(I)(4)(c)-(d)).
The coop may not be located within 15 feet of a residence (§ .04(I)(4)(e)).
Must be cleaned/managed to minimize odors and materials that attract rodents, and moved frequently to reduce turf destruction and pathogen buildup (§ .04(I)(4)(f)-(g)).
Must allow a minimum of 2 square feet of space per hen (§ .04(I)(4)(h)).
Hens may not perch or roam onto neighboring property (§ .04(I)(3)(b)).
Owners must obtain a permit from the Office of Animal Control, register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (Poultry Premises Registration), and secure any applicable zoning/building permits before building or using a coop (§ .04(I)(1)). An egg producer's license is also required if eggs will be sold (§ .04(I)(2)).

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Baltimore

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 7b/8a (Humid Subtropical, Cfa)

Baltimore has hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters typical of the Mid-Atlantic. Coops should provide good ventilation and shade to combat summer humidity, plus draft-free, insulated shelter for occasional winter cold snaps and nor'easters.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumSkunk

Urban and suburban Baltimore flocks most commonly face raccoons and red-tailed hawks, with foxes, opossums, and skunks also present in the city's parks and stream valleys. Secure, covered runs and hardware-cloth (not chicken wire) fencing are recommended given the region's dense raccoon population.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Wyandotte, Orpington

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Baltimore

▸How many hens can I keep in Baltimore City?

Four hens are allowed on lots under 2,000 square feet, with one additional hen per extra 1,000 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 10 hens on a standard residential property.

▸Are roosters allowed in Baltimore City?

No. City regulations only allow "domesticated hens and pigeons" among fowl, which excludes roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other poultry.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Baltimore City?

Yes. You must obtain a permit from the Office of Animal Control, submit a Maryland Poultry Premises Registration through the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and secure any needed zoning/building approvals before building or using a coop.

▸How much does a Baltimore City chicken permit cost?

The standard permit application fee is $80 for an individual animal or group of animals of the same type, paid to the Office of Animal Control.

▸How far must a chicken coop be from a house in Baltimore City?

The coop or loft may not be located within 15 feet of a residence, and it must allow at least 2 square feet of space per hen.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Baltimore or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked August 30, 2026.