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Hobby Farmers

Do you own a small parcel of land and have interest in raising chickens, goats or other livestock? There are regulations within the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance that may affect you. Please take a look at the regulations below before purchasing your livestock.

If you are purchasing livestock as pets or for your own use, to be kept on a non-farm property, you are subject to Calvert County Zoning Ordinance Section 3-1.11.9c which states that the size of the parcel shall be at least three acres and that provisions for sanitation shall meet the requirements of the County Health Department. If the size of the parcel is less than three acres, a special exception from the Board of Appeals is required.

If you are purchasing livestock for breeding or sale/profit, you are subject to Calvert County Zoning Ordinance Section 3-1.02.1, Animal Husbandry. This includes the care and/or breeding of livestock on a farm and raised for sale or profit, including but not limited to the following animals: horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, bison, llamas, alpacas, rabbits and poultry. This use is permitted and conditionally allowed in certain zones. If conditionally allowed, the size of the parcel must be three acres or more and the property must receive an Agricultural Use assessment from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.

If the information above differs from the use and definitions included in the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance, the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance shall take precedent.

View the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance online, and any questions can be directed to the Department of Planning & Zoning at 410-535-2348.

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