Within Baltimore County, Maryland the current county ordinance that we want to change states: B.C.Z.R 100.6: Fowl or Poultry: Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeons No numerical limit, provided that a nuisance is not created or allowed to exist on the property. With the minimum acreage of 1 acre.
The Federal Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FOA) states you need 3.6 feet squared per bird which would be 144 feet squared for my 40 birds.
Baltimore city passed a chicken ordinance in 2007 which allows chickens within a few parameters: 1. Chicken owners must (1) Obtain a permit from the Bureau of Animal Control and (2) register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Domestic Poultry and Exotic Bird Registration Division. 2. No more than 4 chickens (over 1 month). 3. Pens must provide more than 2 feet squared per bird, be more than 25 feet from any residence and be kept clean and moved frequently. Hens must be confined to the pen at all times. 4. The hens must have shade in hot weather, shelter in inclement weather, and access to water, food, and veterinary care. 5. No roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys. guinea fowl, emus. rheas, or ostriches.
I propose the minimum agreage of 1 acre be taken off the code and replaced with: 1. Chicken owners must register their flock with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Domenstic Poultry and Exotic Birds. 2. Pens must provide 3.6 feet squared per bird, and be more than 25 feet from any residence.
Registering your flock protects not only the chickens, but people to diseases spreading by being able to alarm any flock owner to potential problems. Having a pen space requirement will also keep larger farms from abusing fowl from overcrowding. Currently our coop is about 180 feet squared, sits at least 15 feet away from surrounding property lines, and sits in our backyard behind our shed; 36 feet away from our 80 foot planting bed, which is approximately 130 feet away from our home. With our coop being 180 square feet, we have about 4 feet squared per bird.
By signing this petition, I hereby agree to the amendment of County Ordinance B.C.Z.R 100.6 to the above mentioned proposal and hereby agree that the chickens residing at 9606 Dixon Ave Parkville, MD 21234 do not create a nuisance to the individual surrounding properties.
Updates
June 11, 2018
I have been spending my time researching zoning codes in neighboring counties to build a more effective proposal for the council. Seeing the way these arbitrary acreage requirements keep families from being self-sufficient highlights exactly why this change is overdue.
June 11, 2018
Seeing this kind of movement confirms I am not the only one feeling the frustration of these outdated restrictions. My flock deserves more space than the current code allows and your support proves this is a real issue that needs fixing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 11, 2018
38 Comments
If the city can have chickens in lots with 2,000 square feet there’s no reason why the county’s standard should be 1 acre of land. I think there should be a limit like 2 for a yard that’s 5-6 thousand square feet and go up from there and make it more fair than expecting the county to have more land because it’s the county and not the city. Even thought most county residents don’t even have an acre of land to begin with so this requirement isn’t even a fair requirement to majority of county residents.
This law is antiquated. Sustainable living should be encouraged not denied. Plenty of restrictions can still be applied while allowing residents to own chickens such as proper fencing, etc. In an age of “green” living, this law needs to be revisited. It’s utterly ridiculous that chickens are permitted in the city but not the county!
I am hoping you consider changing the ordinance to allow chickens in Baltimore County. They have been allowed in Baltimore City for quite some time. If a person can keep a house full of exotic birds parakeets I don't understand why someone can't keep for chickens in their backyard. it it's not only a great idea because it teaches people to respect where their food comes from but it would also help people who are food insecure keeping chickens and a vegtable garden helped feed this nation during wartime and the Great Depression ♡
We Loved our birds. We have a rediculous amount of room but were violating the 1 acre law. Once our neighbors were notified that their ducks must vacate the property we chose to pass our birds to another farm. I agree the # of birds should be limited to the size of the real estate and they should not be an issue for the neighborhood of smell or noise. Chickens are peaceful creatures the are very thereputic to raise and watch. Once this law changes I will have them again.
As a current resident of Anne Arundel County who is looking to move to Baltimore County with her family in the near future, the current law is a huge negative point on my list of Cons. Unless this is changed, Baltimore City will be our choice when it comes time to move due to their significantly more sensible laws regarding chickens.
Use other counties as an example of the success you can have with allowing small flocks under and acre!
With the pandemic spending money on groceries is a lot and if I was able to raise chickens on my property rather than having to buy two dozen eggs every two weeks I could have healthier eggs from my backyard. Most residents in the county already have less than an acre to begin with so you’re basically banning backyard chickens which isn’t fair because everyone deserves the right to be able to live better with healthier options if they choose and have the room to do so. But I think 1 acre is too high of an expectation and Baltimore county should look at how other places decide how to deal with their backyard chickens and take notes from it.
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Within Baltimore County, Maryland the current county ordinance that we want to change states: B.C.Z.R 100.6: Fowl or Poultry: Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeons No numerical limit, provided that a nuisance is not created or allowed to exist on the property. With the minimum acreage of 1 acre.
The Federal Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FOA) states you need 3.6 feet squared per bird which would be 144 feet squared for my 40 birds.
Baltimore city passed a chicken ordinance in 2007 which allows chickens within a few parameters: 1. Chicken owners must (1) Obtain a permit from the Bureau of Animal Control and (2) register with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Domestic Poultry and Exotic Bird Registration Division. 2. No more than 4 chickens (over 1 month). 3. Pens must provide more than 2 feet squared per bird, be more than 25 feet from any residence and be kept clean and moved frequently. Hens must be confined to the pen at all times. 4. The hens must have shade in hot weather, shelter in inclement weather, and access to water, food, and veterinary care. 5. No roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys. guinea fowl, emus. rheas, or ostriches.
I propose the minimum agreage of 1 acre be taken off the code and replaced with: 1. Chicken owners must register their flock with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Domenstic Poultry and Exotic Birds. 2. Pens must provide 3.6 feet squared per bird, and be more than 25 feet from any residence.
Registering your flock protects not only the chickens, but people to diseases spreading by being able to alarm any flock owner to potential problems. Having a pen space requirement will also keep larger farms from abusing fowl from overcrowding. Currently our coop is about 180 feet squared, sits at least 15 feet away from surrounding property lines, and sits in our backyard behind our shed; 36 feet away from our 80 foot planting bed, which is approximately 130 feet away from our home. With our coop being 180 square feet, we have about 4 feet squared per bird.
By signing this petition, I hereby agree to the amendment of County Ordinance B.C.Z.R 100.6 to the above mentioned proposal and hereby agree that the chickens residing at 9606 Dixon Ave Parkville, MD 21234 do not create a nuisance to the individual surrounding properties.
Updates
June 11, 2018
I have been spending my time researching zoning codes in neighboring counties to build a more effective proposal for the council. Seeing the way these arbitrary acreage requirements keep families from being self-sufficient highlights exactly why this change is overdue.
June 11, 2018
Seeing this kind of movement confirms I am not the only one feeling the frustration of these outdated restrictions. My flock deserves more space than the current code allows and your support proves this is a real issue that needs fixing.
Reached 100 supporters
June 11, 2018
38 Comments
With all the food prices going up and stores not labeling GMOs, we should be able to keep a small ant of chickens for family use. Please consider allowing a few chickens on private property under an acre. Does not have to include roosters for noise reasons. Female egg laying or meat chickens. Thank you.
If the city can have chickens in lots with 2,000 square feet there’s no reason why the county’s standard should be 1 acre of land. I think there should be a limit like 2 for a yard that’s 5-6 thousand square feet and go up from there and make it more fair than expecting the county to have more land because it’s the county and not the city. Even thought most county residents don’t even have an acre of land to begin with so this requirement isn’t even a fair requirement to majority of county residents.
This law is antiquated. Sustainable living should be encouraged not denied. Plenty of restrictions can still be applied while allowing residents to own chickens such as proper fencing, etc. In an age of “green” living, this law needs to be revisited. It’s utterly ridiculous that chickens are permitted in the city but not the county!
I am hoping you consider changing the ordinance to allow chickens in Baltimore County. They have been allowed in Baltimore City for quite some time. If a person can keep a house full of exotic birds parakeets I don't understand why someone can't keep for chickens in their backyard. it it's not only a great idea because it teaches people to respect where their food comes from but it would also help people who are food insecure keeping chickens and a vegtable garden helped feed this nation during wartime and the Great Depression ♡
We Loved our birds. We have a rediculous amount of room but were violating the 1 acre law. Once our neighbors were notified that their ducks must vacate the property we chose to pass our birds to another farm. I agree the # of birds should be limited to the size of the real estate and they should not be an issue for the neighborhood of smell or noise. Chickens are peaceful creatures the are very thereputic to raise and watch. Once this law changes I will have them again.
As a current resident of Anne Arundel County who is looking to move to Baltimore County with her family in the near future, the current law is a huge negative point on my list of Cons. Unless this is changed, Baltimore City will be our choice when it comes time to move due to their significantly more sensible laws regarding chickens.
Use other counties as an example of the success you can have with allowing small flocks under and acre!
With the pandemic spending money on groceries is a lot and if I was able to raise chickens on my property rather than having to buy two dozen eggs every two weeks I could have healthier eggs from my backyard. Most residents in the county already have less than an acre to begin with so you’re basically banning backyard chickens which isn’t fair because everyone deserves the right to be able to live better with healthier options if they choose and have the room to do so. But I think 1 acre is too high of an expectation and Baltimore county should look at how other places decide how to deal with their backyard chickens and take notes from it.
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With all the food prices going up and stores not labeling GMOs, we should be able to keep a small ant of chickens for family use. Please consider allowing a few chickens on private property under an acre. Does not have to include roosters for noise reasons. Female egg laying or meat chickens. Thank you.