Can I keep chickens in Westminster, MD?
No — Westminster does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Ch. 48 Animals and Fowl § 48-1, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Coop rules | No coop within 10 ft of any street or within 50 ft of any dwelling or other structure frequented by human beings |
| Code section | Ch. 48 Animals and Fowl § 48-1 |
Westminster prohibits keeping poultry or fowl except on property zoned for agricultural or poultry-dressing uses. Residential zones do not qualify. Any enclosure must be at least 10 feet from a street and 50 feet from any inhabited dwelling — setbacks that make backyard keeping effectively impossible on residential lots.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Westminster?
No — chickens are not allowed in Westminster (Ch. 48 Animals and Fowl § 48-1).
What law covers backyard chickens in Westminster?
Ch. 48 Animals and Fowl § 48-1. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 48 Animals and Fowl § 48-1 — read the official code
“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor within the City any poultry or fowl except upon property zoned for agricultural or poultry-dressing uses and upon which the keeping or harboring of poultry and fowl is not prohibited.” source
“No coop, pen or other enclosure shall be within 10 feet of any street or within 50 feet of any dwelling or other structure frequented by human beings.” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
Reach people actively researching backyard chickens in their city. Founding sponsor slots now open.
Apply to become a sponsor →