Can I keep chickens in Havre de Grace, MD?
Yes, with conditions — Havre de Grace allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. (Havre de Grace Code Ch. 205 (Zoning), Sec. 205-13 (Definitions: AGRICULTURE), Sec. 205-15(I) (R District conditional uses); see Secs. 205-18, 205-21 for R-1 and R-2, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Code section | Havre de Grace Code Ch. 205 (Zoning), Sec. 205-13 (Definitions: AGRICULTURE), Sec. 205-15(I) (R District conditional uses); see Secs. 205-18, 205-21 for R-1 and R-2 |
Havre de Grace has no standalone backyard-chicken rule. Poultry keeping falls under the zoning definition of Agriculture, which is listed only as a conditional use in the low-density R Residential District and requires Board of Appeals approval. Agriculture is not listed as a permitted, accessory or conditional use in the R-1 and R-2 districts that cover most of the city's housing, so hens are not an authorized use there. There is no numeric hen cap anywhere in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Havre de Grace?
Yes, with conditions — Havre de Grace allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Havre de Grace Code Ch. 205 (Zoning), Sec. 205-13 (Definitions: AGRICULTURE), Sec. 205-15(I) (R District conditional uses); see Secs. 205-18, 205-21 for R-1 and R-2).
How many chickens can I keep in Havre de Grace?
It depends on your lot. No fixed hen cap exists. Poultry is reachable only through the Agriculture conditional use, and only in the R District with Board of Appeals approval. Not an authorized use in R-1 or R-2.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Havre de Grace?
Yes — Havre de Grace requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
What law covers backyard chickens in Havre de Grace?
Havre de Grace Code Ch. 205 (Zoning), Sec. 205-13 (Definitions: AGRICULTURE), Sec. 205-15(I) (R District conditional uses); see Secs. 205-18, 205-21 for R-1 and R-2. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Havre de Grace Code Ch. 205 (Zoning), Sec. 205-13 (Definitions: AGRICULTURE), Sec. 205-15(I) (R District conditional uses); see Secs. 205-18, 205-21 for R-1 and R-2 — read the official code
“AGRICULTURE - All methods of production and management of livestock, crops, vegetation and soil. It also includes but is not limited to the activities of feeding, housing and maintaining of animals, such as cattle, dairy cows, sheep, goats, hogs, horses and poultry, and handling their by-products.” source
“205-15 Conditional uses. The Board of Appeals may permit the following conditional uses: (I) Agriculture.” source
Last verified July 26, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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