BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Chickens are now allowed in people's Baltimore County backyards. The County Council approved legislation last week that will allow people to construct backyard chicken coops.

Currently, homeowners must have at least an acre in order to house chickens. The new legislation lifts that restriction, but does require people to obtain a license from the county, live where the chickens are kept and be registered with the state agriculture department.

The number of hens people can have will be limited based on the size of a person's yard, as will the size of the coops. No roosters will be allowed.

Kim Beard with the Backyard Chicken Caucus of Baltimore County spoke at the County Council meeting and said that “chicken owners make amazing neighbors,” Beard said.

“We’re really great stewards of the environment," Beard noted.

Council member Todd Crandell opposed the bill, noting that his district has a "serious rodent problem."

The backyard chicken bill becomes law Feb. 1.

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