Maryland is home to a growing number of residents who want to raise pigs — whether as farm animals, companions, or small-scale livestock. Before you bring one home, though, you need to understand that the rules governing backyard pigs in Maryland are layered, locally driven, and far more complex than those for a dog or cat.
Unlike a simple statewide yes-or-no answer, pig ownership in Maryland depends on your county’s zoning classification, your lot size, any applicable permits, and whether your neighborhood has an HOA with its own restrictions. This guide walks you through each of those layers so you can make an informed decision before you commit.
Are Backyard Pigs Legal in Maryland?
In the state of Maryland, owning a pet pig is legal — but there are certain restrictions depending on where you reside. Maryland does not maintain a statewide ban on pigs the way it does for certain exotic and dangerous animals. Miniature and pot-bellied pigs are permitted for ownership in Maryland; the state’s list of prohibited pets under MD. Code Ann., Criminal Law § 10-621 covers foxes, skunks, raccoons, bears, alligators, wild cats, wolves, nonhuman primates, and various venomous reptiles — but not domestic swine.
That said, state-level legality is only the first hurdle. Whether you can legally keep a pet pig depends on where you live, and the answer involves checking at least three separate layers of rules: local zoning ordinances, state agriculture regulations, and any private restrictions from your HOA or landlord. Clearing all three layers is what actually makes pig ownership legal at your specific address…