Board of Appeals rules for homeowner in chickens dispute, denies county citation

The Prince George's County Board of Appeals denied a county enforcement citation requiring the removal of chickens from a property at 6711 Oakland Avenue, ruling that the county’s citation (HOUDash29756, dated July 7, 2025) should be denied because the ordinance language did not clearly prohibit the use as applied.

The county argued the keeping of chickens and roosters at the rural residential lot was not an allowed use under the zoning ordinance, citing the violation number in its notice. Petitioners countered that the ordinance does not enumerate every possible use and that similar small‑scale urban‑agriculture activities should be permitted. Vice Chair Johnston argued during deliberations that the county’s approach was inconsistent with urban‑agriculture provisions and that the citation reflected an oversight. "The urban agriculture does allow chickens…so I think there was just probably some oversight on the part of the county," Johnston said.

After discussion, Vice Chair Johnston moved that the board deny the county's citation; Member Stanton seconded. The motion carried on a 3–0 roll call. The board directed its administrator to prepare a written decision denying violation HOUDash29756; the written order will memorialize the board's reasoning and the final disposition.