What dog owners in Baltimore need to know — license, pet limits, leash rules and barking — in plain English, each linked to the official Baltimore page it came from.
Dogs and cats must be licensed within 10 days of turning four months old or arriving, with a rabies certificate: $10 a year if altered, $30 if not; owners 65+ pay half. A lifetime license for an altered, microchipped pet is $100.
Source: Baltimore City Health Code §§ 10-201, 10-202 · Get or renew a license →
There is no citywide cap — the permit once needed for three or more dogs and cats was repealed in 2012. Renters need the landlord's written permission to keep several animals.
Off its owner's premises an animal must be on a leash or otherwise restrained, except in an approved off-leash area during approved hours. Owners may not let an animal be at large.
An animal that excessively makes disturbing noise — continued or repeated barking, howling or whining that unreasonably annoys neighbors — is a public nuisance animal, and owners must keep it from becoming one.
Maryland has no statewide dog licensing requirement — counties and cities set their own. Most require a licence with proof of rabies vaccination, so check with your local animal services or clerk.
Maryland has no statewide leash law; each county sets its own rules on dogs running at large.
Yes. Maryland requires dogs, cats and ferrets 4 months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Boosters follow the vaccine used (usually every 1 or 3 years).
Maryland caps a security deposit at one month's rent per unit, however many tenants there are.
When FDA announces a dog or cat food recall, we email you the brand, the product and what to do.
Or follow the RSS feedGeneral information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, often every year — the official page linked under each answer is the final word. Counties and homeowner associations may add their own rules.
