Article I. In General.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-1 (2026)
Sec. 46-1. Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Department: The Department of Health and Human Services.
Director: The Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Slaughterhouse: Any building, place or establishment where poultry or domestic animals, including rabbits, are slaughtered, or where the unprocessed edible parts of the carcasses of the same are rendered or processed. Such term shall also include the yards and pens appurtenant to, or used in connection with, any such building, place or establishment. Such term does not include any building, place or establishment in which a farmer carries on the activities described herein on a farm.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-2 (2026)
Sec. 46-2. Enforcement of chapter.LinkCopy Citation
The director is hereby authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. For the purpose of enforcing the same, the officers and employees of the department and the director shall have the right to enter and inspect at any time during business hours any building, structure or premises used as a slaughterhouse.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-3 (2026)
Sec. 46-3. Licenses-Requirements generally.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
No person shall operate a slaughterhouse in the county without a license therefor issued by the department. Each license shall be valid for the period of one (1) year from the date of issuance and may be renewed for a like period. The license fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per year, such fee being intended to cover the cost of administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(b)
No slaughterhouse license shall be issued or renewed hereunder in violation of the provisions of chapter 59 of this Code. Nor shall any such license be issued or renewed unless all buildings and pens used and to be used in connection with the slaughterhouse are set back a minimum of sixty (60) feet from the nearest property line and a minimum of sixty (60) feet from any public road; provided, that this restriction shall not apply to slaughterhouses in operation on November 25, 1954. Nor shall any such license be issued or renewed unless and until the department shall have received a certificate, signed by the director, stating that the slaughterhouse is in compliance with the health standards and regulations hereinafter set forth; except, that establishments in existence on November 25, 1954, are only required to substantially comply with sections 46-8 and 46-9, but such establishments shall fully comply with all other provisions of this chapter. No slaughterhouse which is in contravention of the requirements of this chapter shall be reestablished except in compliance with this chapter, if it is abandoned or if it is destroyed or seriously damaged by fire, flood or similar cause. A slaughterhouse shall be deemed to be "abandoned" if it shall cease operations for a period of eight (8) months or more, and a slaughterhouse shall be deemed to be "seriously damaged" if the value of its buildings is diminished by fifty (50) percent or more.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-4 (2026)
Sec. 46-4. Same-Denial and revocation.LinkCopy Citation
If a certificate of compliance from the director required by section 46-3 is not filed with the director or if it is revoked or canceled, a certificate previously issued or if the director finds that a particular slaughterhouse is not or is no longer in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, then the director shall refuse to issue a license to such slaughterhouse or shall refuse to renew the same or shall revoke the same, as the case may be; provided, that the director shall first give the applicant or licensee an opportunity for hearing upon not less than ten (10) days' notice, at which the applicant or licensee shall have the opportunity to show cause why his application or license should not be denied, canceled or revoked. If the applicant or licensee shall fail to appear at the time and lace set for the hearing, the director shall refuse to issue or renew the license or shall revoke the same, as the case may be. All action taken by the director pursuant to this section shall be by written notice sent by registered mail to the applicant or licensee at his last-known address as the same appears in the records of the director.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-5 (2026)
Sec. 46-5. Inspections; procedure upon noncompliance with health standards and regulations.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The director shall inspect each licensed slaughterhouse in the county as often as he deems necessary; provided, that the director shall also make inspections upon the written request of an applicant for a license.
(b)
If the slaughterhouse is one for which there is a certificate of compliance outstanding and the director finds that it is no longer in compliance with the health standards and regulations, he shall give written notice by registered mail of such noncompliance and allow the operators of such slaughterhouse a reasonable time, which is his discretion he believes sufficient, to take the necessary corrective measures. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the director shall cancel such certificate.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-6 (2026)
Sec. 46-6. Appeals from action of director.LinkCopy Citation
Any person aggrieved by the action of the director taken under section 46-5 may appeal to the county board of appeals. Such appeal may be taken by filing a written request with the county board of appeals within thirty (30) days after posting of notice of the director's action. Within thirty (30) days thereafter, the county board of appeals shall hold a hearing thereon and shall give due notice of such hearing to interested parties. As soon thereafter as practicable, the county board of appeals shall either affirm, rescind or modify the action of the director. All actions, decisions and determinations of the director or the county board of appeals shall be made and taken only in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 46-7 (2026)
Sec. 46-7. Penalty for violations of chapter; injunctive, etc., relief.LinkCopy Citation
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to punishment for a class A violation as set forth in section 1-19 of chapter 1 of the County Code. Each day of violation shall be deemed a separate offense.