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<baltimore-city-law heading="Regulation .04 Conditions for Keeping Allowed Wild, Exotic, Hybrid, and Livestock Animals.">
  <section prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Conditions for Keeping Allowed Wild, Exotic, Hybrid, and Livestock Animals.">
    <para num="A.">Except as provided in &lt;cite data-path="13.03.01.04|J."&gt;§J of this regulation&lt;/cite&gt;, a person or entity shall meet the following conditions for keeping an allowed wild, exotic, hybrid, or livestock animal.</para>
    <para num="B.">Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pigs.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig if:<para num="(a)">A permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">A veterinary record is presented to the Office of Animal control to show that the Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig is altered.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">A person may not keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig if the animal:<para num="(a)">Measures greater than 22 inches in height at the shoulder; or</para>
        <para num="(b)">Weighs more than 150 pounds.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">A person permitted to keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig shall ensure that the animal is:<para num="(a)">Kept in a clean and sanitary environment that will prevent:<para num="(i)">Disease;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">Odor; and</para>
          <para num="(iii)">Insect or rodent breeding;</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(b)">Provided with routine and emergency veterinary care as needed; and</para>
        <para num="(c)">Neutered prior to 9 weeks, if it is a boar; or</para>
        <para num="(d)">Spayed prior to 6 months, if it is a gilt.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(4)">A person permitted to keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig shall ensure that the animal’s tusks are properly filed by an experienced handler so tusks do not show outside of the mouth when the mouth is closed.</para>
      <para num="(5)">Except as provided in §6 of &lt;cite data-path="13.03.01.04"&gt;this Regulation&lt;/cite&gt;, a person who is permitted to keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig may not remove the animal’s tusks unless removal of the tusks is deemed medically necessary for the health of the animal.</para>
      <para num="(6)">A person permitted to keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig may keep a rescue Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig that has had its tusks removed by a previous owner.</para>
      <para num="(7)">The Office of Animal Control may require paperwork from a person permitted to keep a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig which demonstrates that:<para num="(i)">Tusk removal was medically necessary; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">The Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig is a bona fide rescue animal.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="C.">Pigeons.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a pigeon if:<para num="(a)">A permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Applicable zoning and building permits or authorizations have been obtained; and</para>
        <para num="(c)">The total number of pigeons kept is fewer than 125.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a pigeon shall ensure that the pigeon coop or loft:<para num="(a)">Contains a minimum of 1 square foot of floor space for each pigeon over the age of one month;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Is constructed so that the interior is:<para num="(i)">Dry;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">Airy;</para>
          <para num="(iii)">Bright; and</para>
          <para num="(iv)">Adequately ventilated; and</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(c)">Is maintained and kept in a clean manner to prevent:<para num="(i)">Disease;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">Odor; and</para>
          <para num="(iii)">Insect or rodent breeding.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">A person permitted to keep a pigeon shall ensure that feed is stored and administered in a manner that prevents attracting rodents.</para>
      <para num="(4)">A person permitted to keep a pigeon may not allow the animal to:<para num="(a)">Be outside the coop or loft other than a maximum of three hours per day of supervised exercise; or</para>
        <para num="(b)">Perch or linger on the property or buildings of others.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="D.">Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy Goats.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy goat if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy goat shall ensure that:<para num="(a)">The animal is dehorned; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">Males over the age of 6 months are neutered.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">A person permitted to keep a Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy goat shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Adequate amounts of feed; and</para>
        <para num="(c)">Routine and emergency veterinary care as needed.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(4)">A person permitted to keep a Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy goat shall ensure the yard in which the animal is kept:<para num="(a)">Is well-maintained and clean; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">Contains:<para num="(i)">A minimum of 150 square feet of permeable space available per goat;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">Fencing to prevent roaming; and</para>
          <para num="(iii)">Proper grading and drainage.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
      <para num="(5)">A person permitted to keep a Miniature, Dwarf, or Pygmy goat may keep:<para num="(a)">Two female or neutered goats, plus their offspring up to 6 months of age, on lots less than 20,000 square feet; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">One additional goat for every 5,000 square feet of lot area over 20,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 6 goats over the age of 6 months.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="E.">Ferrets.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a ferret if:<para num="(a)">A permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">Evidence of a current rabies vaccination is provided to the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a ferret shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Adequate food that is highly concentrated with fat as the main source of calories and highly digestible meat-based protein;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(c)">Adequate exercise in an appropriate enclosed area; and</para>
        <para num="(d)">Routine and emergency veterinary care as needed.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="F.">Snakes up to 5 Feet Long.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a snake capable of growing to a length of no more than 5 feet when fully grown if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a snake up to 5 feet long shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Adequate food appropriate for the species;</para>
        <para num="(c)">An adequate enclosure with sufficient space so as not to be inhumane;</para>
        <para num="(d)">Adequate heating and lighting as required for the species; and</para>
        <para num="(e)">Routine and emergency veterinary care as needed.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="G.">Lizards up to 4 Feet Long.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a lizard capable of growing to a length of no more than 4 feet when fully grown if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a lizard up to 4 feet long shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Adequate food appropriate for the species;</para>
        <para num="(c)">An adequate enclosure with sufficient space so as not to be inhumane;</para>
        <para num="(d)">Adequate heating and lighting as required for the species; and</para>
        <para num="(e)">Routine and emergency veterinary care as needed.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="H.">Green Iguanas between 30 inches and 6 feet Long.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a green iguana that is a minimum of 30 inches in length but no more than 6 feet in length when fully grown if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep a green iguana between 30 inches and 6 feet long shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Adequate food as appropriate for the species;</para>
        <para num="(c)">An adequate enclosure with sufficient space so as not to be inhumane;</para>
        <para num="(d)">Adequate heating and lighting as required for the species; and</para>
        <para num="(e)">Routine and emergency veterinary care as needed.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="I.">Hens.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a hen if:<para num="(a)">A permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control;</para>
        <para num="(b)">A Maryland Poultry Premises Registration is obtained through the Maryland Department of Agriculture; and</para>
        <para num="(c)">All applicable zoning and building permits or authorizations are obtained prior to building or using a hen coop or loft.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">If a person permitted to keep a hen plans to sell or otherwise provide eggs, an egg producers license shall be obtained through the Maryland Department of Agriculture.</para>
      <para num="(3)">A person permitted to keep a hen shall ensure that the animal:<para num="(a)">Is provided with:<para num="(i)">Potable water;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">Proper feed; and</para>
          <para num="(iii)">Veterinary care if the animal is known or suspected to be sick or injured.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(b)">Does not perch or roam on the property of others.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(4)">A person permitted to keep a hen shall provide a coop or loft to house the animal that:<para num="(a)">Is well-constructed;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Is sanitary and adequately sized;</para>
        <para num="(c)">Provides shade during warm weather;</para>
        <para num="(d)">Provides suitable protection from inclement weather and predation;</para>
        <para num="(e)">Is not within 15 feet of a residence;</para>
        <para num="(f)">Is cleaned and managed to minimize odors and materials that may attract rodents;</para>
        <para num="(g)">Is moved frequently to minimize turf destruction and the build-up of manure borne pathogens such as coccidiosis and roundworms; and</para>
        <para num="(h)">Allows a minimum of 2 square feet per hen.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(5)">A person permitted to keep a hen may keep:<para num="(a)">Four hens over the age of 1 month on a lot less than 2,000 square feet; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">One additional hen over the age of 1 month for every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area over 2,000 square feet, not to exceed a total of 10 hens.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="J.">Hens – Community Farms or Gardens or Urban Agricultural Enterprises.<para num="(1)">A community farm or garden or urban agricultural enterprise may keep hens in numbers greater than 10 if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A community farm or garden or urban agricultural enterprise shall include a written management plan with the permit application stating how:<para num="(a)">The hens will be housed;</para>
        <para num="(b)">The hens and their feed will be protected from predators and other pests;</para>
        <para num="(c)">Waste will be managed; and</para>
        <para num="(d)">Impacts to surrounding property owners and neighbors will be minimized.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">The Health Commissioner may deny a permit to keep hens in numbers greater than 10 to a community farm or garden or urban agricultural enterprise at their discretion.</para>
      <para num="(4)">In addition to adhering to the provisions noted in &lt;cite data-path="13.03.01.04|I.|(1)"&gt;§I(1)&lt;/cite&gt;&lt;cite data-path="13.03.01.04|I.|(4)"&gt;—(4)&lt;/cite&gt; of &lt;cite data-path="13.03.01.04"&gt;this regulation&lt;/cite&gt;, a community farm or garden or urban agricultural enterprise permitted to keep hens may keep:<para num="(a)">Up to 10 hens on lots greater than 5,000; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">One additional hen over the age of 1 month for every additional 1,000 square feet of lot area, not to exceed a total of 50 hens.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="K.">Honey Bees.<para num="(1)">A person may keep honey bees if:<para num="(a)">A permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">The activity is registered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)">A person permitted to keep honey bees may keep:<para num="(a)">Two colonies and 1 nucleus colony for lots up to 2,500 square feet; and</para>
        <para num="(b)">One additional colony and 1 additional nucleus colony for every additional 2,500 square feet of lot area over 2,500 square feet.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">Requirements for hives housing colonies.<para num="(a)">Except where a solid wall or fence measuring at least 5 feet in height and at least 5 feet in width is located at a lot line to provide a barrier, a person permitted to keep honey bees shall ensure that:<para num="(i)">The bees or hive are not located within 5 feet of a lot line; and</para>
          <para num="(ii)">The bees or hive are inaccessible to the public.</para>
        </para>
        <para num="(b)">A person permitted to keep honey bees shall ensure that honey bee movement to and from the hive does not unreasonably interfere with:<para num="(i)">The reasonable enjoyment of the property of others;</para>
          <para num="(ii)">The comfort of the public or domestic animals; or</para>
          <para num="(iii)">The use of a public right-of-way.</para>
        </para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <para num="L.">Rabbits.<para num="(1)">A person may keep a rabbit if a permit is obtained from the Office of Animal Control.</para>
      <para num="(2)">A person applying for a permit to keep a rabbit shall include a written management plan with the permit application stating how:<para num="(a)">The rabbit will be housed;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Waste will be managed;</para>
        <para num="(c)">The rabbit and their feed will be protected from predators and other pests;</para>
        <para num="(d)">The keeping of breeding pairs and young will be managed to avoid unwanted litters resulting in rabbits exceeding the number allowed; and</para>
        <para num="(e)">Aggressive behavior in group housing will be monitored, specifically in male rabbits, to mitigate injuries caused by fighting.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">A person permitted to keep a rabbit may keep:<para num="(a)">Up to 12 total rabbits with no more than 1 breeding pair on lots less than 1,000 square feet; or</para>
        <para num="(b)">Up to 24 total rabbits with no more than 2 breeding pairs on lots greater than 1,000 square feet.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(4)">A person permitted to keep a rabbit shall provide the animal with a shelter that:<para num="(a)">Allows a minimum of 3 square feet per rabbit;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Provides suitable protection from inclement weather;</para>
        <para num="(c)">Is adequately sized and not within 15 feet of a residence;</para>
        <para num="(d)">Is kept clean and free of odors or materials that may attract rodents; and</para>
        <para num="(e)">Is moved frequently to minimize turf destruction and the buildup of manure borne pathogens.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(5)">A person permitted to keep a rabbit shall provide the animal with:<para num="(a)">Shade during warm weather;</para>
        <para num="(b)">Adequate potable water at all times;</para>
        <para num="(c)">Adequate amounts of feed at all times; and</para>
        <para num="(d)">Veterinary care if the animal is known or suspected to be sick or injured.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
