Politics & Government

Chickens, Goats, Country Inns, Christmas Trees on Council Committee's Agenda

The council's committee on planning, housing and economic development delved into the nitty-gritty on farm animals, Christmas trees and country inns in its review of the county planning board's proposed zoning code update.

Still hoping to get that miniature goat or speckled hen for your back yard?

Don’t worry, the Montgomery County Council hasn’t forgotten you—a committee was scheduled to discuss on Friday, June 21, the keeping of goats and chickens on residential properties.

The discussion was part of the council’s review of the county planning board’s proposed zoning code changes—the first proposed major changes to the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance since 1978.

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On Friday at 9:30 a.m., the Montgomery County Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee discussed proposed regulations for allowing chickens and goats in residential zones, proposed dates for when Christmas trees may be sold outside and proposed regulations for establishing country inns with 12 or fewer guest rooms, according to the email from the council’s office.

Right now, there’s no limit on how many animals one may keep on one’s property, but animal shelters must be set back from property lines by a "considerable distance." The planning board proposes reducing the required setbacks and limiting the number of animals allowed on properties, according to the council office's email.

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Regarding Christmas trees—which currently may be sold outside in the county only between Dec. 5 and 25—the board recommends getting rid of the date restrictions, and allowing other seasonal sales, like selling pumpkins, the email added.

And, the board has proposed making it easier to start a country inn in the county by requiring would-be inn owners to get a special exception granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, rather than a zoning change. Currently, country inns must be in a Country Inn Zone, which is harder to establish than a special exception, the council office’s email added.

The Montgomery County Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee—consisting of chair Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) and council members Marc Elrich (D-At Large) and George Leventhal (D-At Large)—is meeting regularly through September to review the planning board’s suggested changes to the zoning ordinance.

"The committee will use the work sessions to make recommendations to the full council, which will eventually decide what changes will be implemented," the email from the council’s office stated.

Learn more about the proposed zoning update on the county's website.


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