Article Iv. Licensing and Health.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 5-401 (2026)
Sec. 5-401. Dog and cat licenses.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Executive Director must implement the State dog licensing laws that apply in the County (Md. Code, Article 24, Title 11, Subtitle 5) and must apply the same licensing requirements to cats. The Executive may set fees for cat licenses that are different than the equivalent fees for dog licenses.
(b)
The County Executive must, consistent with State law, set fees by regulation under method (3), and issue other regulations (such as a regulation authorizing different fees or free licenses for dogs or cats meeting certain age or other requirements) under method (2) to implement this Section. The regulations must coordinate dog and cat licensing with rabies vaccination under Section 5-402 and must require a dog or cat to wear its own legible, unobscured license tag attached to a collar or harness whenever the animal is outside the owner's home.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 5-402 (2026)
Sec. 5-402. Rabies control.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Executive Director and the County Health Officer must implement the State anti- rabies law (Md. Code, Health-General Article, Title 18, Subtitle 3, Part III). The County Executive must issue fee regulations under method (3) and other regulations under method (2) to implement this Section.
(b)
Consistent with State law (Md. Code, Health-General Article, § 18-315), the County Health Officer must conduct an anti-rabies clinic at least annually to vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets.
(c)
An owner must vaccinate a cat, dog, or ferret older than 4 months of age against rabies and provide proof of the most recent vaccination to an animal control officer within 24 hours.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 5-403 (2026)
Sec. 5-403. Clinics to alter animals.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The County directly or by contract must establish one or more clinics where County residents may have dogs or cats altered in a humane manner by a licensed veterinarian for a fee set by regulation. The County may contract for altering services by a licensed veterinarian at the veterinarian's own place of business. The fee may be:
(1)
uniform or based on ability to pay; and
(2)
waived or reduced for financial hardship.
(b)
A person seeking to have an animal altered must certify that the person owns the animal or has authority to obtain the service. The person must agree in writing to hold the clinic and veterinarian harmless in any dispute about the person's authority.
(c)
A person must retrieve the altered animal on the date specified by the clinic. The person must pay any additional charges for boarding the animal after that date. An animal not retrieved within 10 days after that date is abandoned.
Montgomery County, Md., Code § 5-404 (2026)
Sec. 5-404. Animal business licensing.LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Businesses requiring a license. The County Executive must issue regulations to require and set conditions for an annual County license to operate:
(1)
a pet shop;
(2)
a commercial kennel;
(3)
as a fancier;
(4)
an equestrian facility;
(5)
a benevolent organization; or
(6)
a guard dog operator who places a dog for hire on private property.
(b)
Fees. The County Executive must issue regulations to set fees:
(1)
under method (2) for licenses under subsections (a)(1) to (5); and
(2)
under method (3) for licenses under subsection (a)(6).
(c)
Denial, suspension, and revocation.
(1)
The Office may deny, suspend, or revoke a license:
(A)
for a facility that violates any provision of the Code, including Chapter 59, or any State or federal law; or
(B)
if the applicant or licensee withholds or falsifies information, or engages in fraud or misrepresentation regarding the sale of animals.
(2)
A person aggrieved by an action under this subsection may appeal the action under Section 5-306.
(d)
Inspections. A facility that requires a license under this Section must allow an animal control officer or other law enforcement officer to inspect the facility.
(e)
Health and safety regulations. Executive regulations should include licensing requirements to protect human health and safety and enforce state laws against cruelty to animals.