Can I keep chickens in Takoma Park, MD?
Yes — Takoma Park allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Coops must be at least 100 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | No numeric cap |
| Roosters | Allowed with conditions |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 100 ft |
| Coop rules | Coop in rear yard; 100 ft from adjacent dwelling; 25 ft from lot line (per Montgomery County Code Ch. 5, applied by reference via Takoma Park § 15.04.020). |
| Code section | Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference) |
Takoma Park own code (Title 15) contains no hen limit, no rooster ban, and no permit requirement for chickens. Animal is defined to include fowl (§ 15.04.030). Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 applies by reference (§ 15.04.020) and imposes coop placement standards. No numeric hen cap was found at city or county animal-control level.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Takoma Park?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Takoma Park (Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference)).
How many chickens can I keep in Takoma Park?
Takoma Park sets no numeric cap on hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Takoma Park?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Takoma Park.
Are roosters allowed in Takoma Park?
Yes, with conditions — see Takoma Park's rules (Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference)).
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Takoma Park?
100 feet minimum. Coop in rear yard; 100 ft from adjacent dwelling; 25 ft from lot line (per Montgomery County Code Ch. 5, applied by reference via Takoma Park § 15.04.020).
What law covers backyard chickens in Takoma Park?
Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Title 15 §§ 15.04.020, 15.04.030, 15.04.080 (Animal Control); Montgomery County Code Ch. 5 (applied by reference) — read the official code
“Animal means every nonhuman species of animal, both domestic and wild, including fowl, but not including fish.” source
“To the extent that the animal control laws and regulations of Montgomery County regulate matters not regulated by this chapter or are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, the County's animal control laws and regulations (Montgomery County Code, Chapter 5, Animal Control, as amended from time to time) apply within the City.” source
“Chickens and Roosters cannot be located within 100 feet of an adjacent dwelling. Coops must be in the rear yard, at least 25 feet from any property line.” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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