What pets can I have in Baltimore?

You can have most common household pets in Baltimore, including dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but you must follow Baltimore City animal control and Maryland state laws. Some animals are restricted or banned (especially wild, exotic, or farm animals), and dogs and cats must meet licensing, vaccination, and leash requirements.

What pets are generally allowed in Baltimore?

In practical terms, you can keep most typical companion animals as long as you meet health, safety, and nuisance rules. Common allowed pets in Baltimore include:

Dogs
Cats
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small rodents
Caged birds (parakeets, cockatiels, etc.)
Fish and aquarium animals
Many non-venomous reptiles and amphibians

However, there are limits on species, numbers, and where you can keep them, especially in multi-unit housing. City code and Maryland law also restrict wild or dangerous animals.

If you’re unsure about a specific species, you should:

Check Baltimore City animal control or housing/health code information.
Review Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rules on wild and exotic animals.
Confirm with your landlord or condo/HOA, which may be stricter than city rules.

Pets in Baltimore: Common rules you must follow

Even for allowed pets, you need to follow city and state regulations. These are the typical requirements for Baltimore pets:

Dogs and cats

Licensing:
Most Maryland jurisdictions require dogs and often cats to be licensed with local animal control. Check Baltimore City’s official site for licensing rules, fees, and renewal schedules.
Rabies vaccination:
Maryland law requires rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets over a certain age. Keep vaccination proof; you’ll need it for licensing and if there’s ever a bite incident.
Leash and control:
Dogs must be under control when off your property. Baltimore commonly enforces leash laws and “running at large” rules.
Waste cleanup:
You are required to pick up dog waste in public areas and properly dispose of it.
Noise and nuisance:
Persistent barking, foul odors, and unsanitary conditions can lead to citations. City code includes nuisance animal provisions.

Small mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish

For small caged or tank pets, the main expectations are:

Housing them in secure, humane enclosures.
Keeping conditions clean and odor-free.
Ensuring they are not species restricted by Maryland wildlife or exotic animal laws (for example, some turtle species or large constrictor snakes).

When in doubt about an unusual species, contact Baltimore City animal control or Maryland DNR before acquiring the animal.

Which pets are restricted or banned in Baltimore?

You cannot keep every animal as a pet in Baltimore. Laws focus on public safety, animal welfare, and disease control. The details can change, so always verify with current city code and state regulations.

Typically restricted or prohibited pet types

The categories below are commonly restricted in cities like Baltimore:

Wild and exotic animals
- Primates (monkeys, apes)
- Big cats (lions, tigers, etc.)
- Wolves and wolf hybrids
- Dangerous reptiles (such as venomous snakes or large constrictor snakes, depending on state rules)
- Certain wild-caught native species protected or regulated by the Maryland DNR
Farm and livestock animals
- Goats, pigs, sheep, horses, and cattle are generally treated as livestock, not household pets.
- Chickens and other poultry may be restricted or allowed only under specific rules (lot size, coop standards, number of birds, no roosters, etc.). You must check Baltimore’s zoning and animal ordinances for current backyard chicken or livestock policies.
Potentially dangerous or vicious dogs
Baltimore and Maryland may have special regulations around dogs deemed dangerous after documented incidents (bite history, attacks). These usually involve strict containment, insurance, or, in some cases, removal orders, governed by local animal control procedures.

Because these rules can be specific and change over time, do not rely on general lists. Always:

Review the latest Baltimore City animal code text.
Check Maryland DNR for exotic and wildlife species rules.
Ask animal control directly if you have a borderline or unusual pet in mind.

Quick summary: What pets can I have in Baltimore?

Pet type	Generally allowed?	Key things to check
Dogs	Yes	License, rabies, leash, condo/landlord rules
Cats	Yes	License (if required), rabies, housing rules
Small mammals (rabbits, etc.)	Yes	Cleanliness, humane housing
Birds (parakeets, etc.)	Yes	Noise, species restrictions (exotics)
Fish & aquarium animals	Yes	Tank safety, no invasive species
Reptiles/amphibians	Some	Maryland restrictions on certain species
Chickens or backyard poultry	Possibly, under conditions	Zoning, number allowed, coop standards
Livestock (goats, pigs, horses)	Generally no in residential areas	Zoning and special permits
Wild or exotic animals	Often no	City code and Maryland DNR regulations

Use this table only as a general guide; for any specific breed or species, you must verify the current rules.

Step-by-step: How to make sure your pet is legal in Baltimore

Identify your exact species and breed.
Write down the common and scientific name if possible, especially for reptiles, birds, or exotic animals.
Check Baltimore City’s animal-related ordinances.
Look up the city’s animal control or health department pages for allowed animals, licensing, and nuisance standards. If your question is unusual, contact the office directly and describe the pet.
Review Maryland state law and Maryland DNR rules.
Maryland regulates many wild, native, and exotic species. Search for Maryland DNR “captive wildlife” or “exotic pets” information, or call their wildlife division.
Confirm zoning and housing limits.
- If you rent, review your lease and ask your landlord.
- If you own, check HOA or condo bylaws.
- For backyard poultry or similar animals, review Baltimore zoning/land use code.
Verify health and vaccination requirements.
Ask a local veterinarian about rabies and other core vaccines for dogs, cats, and ferrets, and any registration documents you will need.
Register and license when required.
Obtain the dog or cat license through the appropriate Baltimore City office. Check the city’s website for current application forms, accepted documents, and fee schedule.
Set up humane, safe housing.
Before bringing the pet home, make sure you meet enclosure, fencing, and cleanliness standards. This helps avoid neighbor complaints and animal control issues.

Common edge cases for Baltimore pets

Emotional support animals and service animals

Service animals (typically dogs trained for a specific disability-related task) are protected under federal and state law and are generally allowed even in “no pets” housing, with some limits.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) do not have the same broad public-access rights as service dogs but may have protections under housing law.
Even with an ESA or service animal, local licensing, vaccination, and nuisance rules still apply.

Breed-specific concerns

Breed-specific legislation has changed over time in Maryland, particularly around pit bull–type dogs. Because these rules evolve through court cases and legislation, you should:

Check the most recent Maryland state law and Baltimore City statements on breed-specific rules.
Ask your landlord and insurance company about any breed restrictions they enforce, which can be stricter than city law.

Keeping multiple pets

Baltimore may limit the number of dogs, cats, or total animals in a household before you need a kennel or special permit. To avoid violations:

Look up any “maximum number of animals” rules in the city code.
Be realistic about space, noise, and sanitation; even if legal, excessive animals can lead to nuisance complaints.