Currently the zoning code prohibits "agricultural livestock" (which includes all chickens and other laying fowl) on any property under one acre. Not only does this zoning code hamper the work of dedicated backyard gardeners, based solely on an arbitrary property requirement, it is out of step with surrounding jurisdictions, including Baltimore city which allows for the keeping of up to 4 birds with a permit.
Chickens are a cost effective and sustainable source of food security for families with ever shrinking budgets, are a great resource in backyard pest management and a tremendous source of free, organic fertilizer.
Please sign this petition and show your support for a change in Baltimore County's zoning code to allow for the sensible keeping of laying hens in suburban residential areas.
I was looking at the zoning code again this morning and honestly it just seems so stuck in the past when you think about how much good a few hens can actually do for a household. Some of you have sent me the most beautiful pictures of your garden setups and it makes me want to get started on my own coop immediately even though I know I have to keep waiting for the county to wake up.
Reached 100 supporters
March 9, 2012
21 Comments
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
Featured
I have 0.57 acres and 2 sides of my property back to trees where there are no homes or buildings for at least an acre on either side. Can't see any reason why I can't have some chickens.
A
Aaron Geerlings
9 years ago
Featured
As a soon to be homeowner in Baltimore County I was greatly disappointed to find out we could not own a few hens. I am looking forward to discovering who my council person is and talking to them about this.
D
dwayne van pelt
10 years ago
Featured
Whats a few chickens gonna hurt.Its educational and keeps kids closer to home. A great family hobby.I see nothing but a win win situation here...
M
Marlene Rest
10 years ago
Featured
Would love to have our own chickens for the best eggs and compost for my vegetable garden.
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
Featured
I would love to have the opportunity to own chickens, while I don't have an acre of land I have a bigger yard than most Baltimore city yards, with plenty of room for a small coup and 1-4 hens.
J
Josh Rolf
11 years ago
Featured
We sit on a quarter acre and as we all know times are a bit rough so what better then to be able to produce our own food I would really love to be able to be allowed to raise my own chicks without having to move to a different county because of an out dated rule book please allow us too thanks
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Doesn't make sense that this hasn't happened yet.
L
Louise Quigley
9 years ago
My property is just shy of one acre. Would love to have a couple of chickens.
Currently the zoning code prohibits "agricultural livestock" (which includes all chickens and other laying fowl) on any property under one acre. Not only does this zoning code hamper the work of dedicated backyard gardeners, based solely on an arbitrary property requirement, it is out of step with surrounding jurisdictions, including Baltimore city which allows for the keeping of up to 4 birds with a permit.
Chickens are a cost effective and sustainable source of food security for families with ever shrinking budgets, are a great resource in backyard pest management and a tremendous source of free, organic fertilizer.
Please sign this petition and show your support for a change in Baltimore County's zoning code to allow for the sensible keeping of laying hens in suburban residential areas.
I was looking at the zoning code again this morning and honestly it just seems so stuck in the past when you think about how much good a few hens can actually do for a household. Some of you have sent me the most beautiful pictures of your garden setups and it makes me want to get started on my own coop immediately even though I know I have to keep waiting for the county to wake up.
Reached 100 supporters
March 9, 2012
21 Comments
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
Featured
I have 0.57 acres and 2 sides of my property back to trees where there are no homes or buildings for at least an acre on either side. Can't see any reason why I can't have some chickens.
A
Aaron Geerlings
9 years ago
Featured
As a soon to be homeowner in Baltimore County I was greatly disappointed to find out we could not own a few hens. I am looking forward to discovering who my council person is and talking to them about this.
D
dwayne van pelt
10 years ago
Featured
Whats a few chickens gonna hurt.Its educational and keeps kids closer to home. A great family hobby.I see nothing but a win win situation here...
M
Marlene Rest
10 years ago
Featured
Would love to have our own chickens for the best eggs and compost for my vegetable garden.
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
Featured
I would love to have the opportunity to own chickens, while I don't have an acre of land I have a bigger yard than most Baltimore city yards, with plenty of room for a small coup and 1-4 hens.
J
Josh Rolf
11 years ago
Featured
We sit on a quarter acre and as we all know times are a bit rough so what better then to be able to produce our own food I would really love to be able to be allowed to raise my own chicks without having to move to a different county because of an out dated rule book please allow us too thanks
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Doesn't make sense that this hasn't happened yet.
L
Louise Quigley
9 years ago
My property is just shy of one acre. Would love to have a couple of chickens.
I have 0.57 acres and 2 sides of my property back to trees where there are no homes or buildings for at least an acre on either side. Can't see any reason why I can't have some chickens.