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Kent County adopts fox‑hunting club dog‑kennel licensing process, sets $100 applicant fee
Summary
The county commissioners approved Code Home Rule Bill 3‑2025, adopting a licensing process for fox‑hunting club dog kennels with two amendments: removal of a reference to “nutrients” and elimination of a five‑year limit on license reviews. The commissioners also set an initial application fee of $100 by resolution.
The Kent County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a licensing process for fox‑hunting club dog kennels and set a $100 application fee after hearing public comment and approving two written amendments.
The adopted changes strike two words—"and nutrients"—from a provision that had required a waste management plan, and remove a five‑year limit on licensing review so county officials can require license applicants to return for review or revocation at any time if conditions are not met. County legal staff explained the second amendment would leave the 12‑month probationary period in place while removing the automatic five‑year expiration of review authority.
Genevieve McFarland, representing the Wicomico Hunt Club, told the commissioners the club supported the amendments. County commissioners discussed neighborhood complaints about relocated hounds and emphasized that the ordinance includes a process for neighbors to raise verified nuisance concerns and for the county to require follow‑up if standards are not met.
The board voted to pass Code Home Rule Bill 3‑2025 as amended by voice vote. After returning to open session, the board also adopted Resolution 2025‑04 to set a $100 fee for applicants appearing before the Fox Hunting Club dog‑kennel licensing board. County planning staff said the fee is intended to cover newspaper advertisement and other hard costs for the new licensing process; staff estimated a basic advertisement runs about $70 but recommended $100 to provide fuller public notice.
The ordinance establishes procedures for licensing, a 12‑month probationary period for new licensees, and a county process to investigate and address verified nuisance complaints. Commissioners who spoke urged neighbors and the licensee to work cooperatively during the probationary period; they also noted the county can revoke licenses if conditions or standards are violated.
