Send a Letter

Thank you for taking the time to share your support for backyard chickens with your Baltimore County council people. You can follow these simple steps to send your email or letter of support:

  • If you are sending an email title your email “I Support Backyard Chickens in Baltimore County”
  • Copy (Ctrl/Cmd + C) the text below
  • Open up your email provider and start a new message.
  • Paste (Ctrl/Cmd + V) the text into the new message window and replace  your councilman/woman’s last name as well as your name at the bottom of the message. There is also room for an optional personal section.

Not sure who your representative is? Find out by clicking the button below.

    Representative Contact Information

    District One – Councilman Tom Quirk

    E-mail

    council1@baltimorecountymd.gov

    District Office

    754 Frederick Road
    Catonsville, MD 21228
    410-887-0896
    410-887-1012 (fax)
    Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3386
    410-887-5791

    Legislative Aides

    Cathy Engers, Senior Council Assistant
    Margaret Stokes, Legislative Aide
    Brian P. Morris, Legislative Aide

    District Two – Councilman Israel “Izzy” Patoka

    E-mail

    council2@baltimorecountymd.gov

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Avenue
    Towson, Maryland 21204
    410-887-3385
    410-887-5791 (fax)
    Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Legislative Aides

    Justin Silberman, Senior Legislative Aide
    Ashley Wallington, Legislative Aide
    Carlos Gonzalez, Legislative Aide

    District Three – Councilman Wade Kach

    E-mail

    council3@baltimorecountymd.gov

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3387
    410-887-5791 (fax)

    Legislative Aides

    Ryan Fried, Chief of Staff
    Joanne Kozak, Legislative Assistant
    Roger Yeager, Legislative Assistant

    District Four – Councilman Julian E. Jones, Jr.

    E-mail

    council4@baltimorecountymd.gov

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3389
    410-887-5791 (fax)

    District Office

    Liberty Family Resource Center
    3525 Resource Drive
    Randallstown, Maryland 21133
    410-887-0784
    Hours by Appointment

    Legislative Aides

    Chrissandra Caldwell, Senior Legislative Assistant
    Danita Jones, Legislative Aide
    Trevor Jones, Legislative Aide

    District Five – Councilman David Marks

    E-mail

    council5@baltimorecountymd.gov

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3384
    410-887-5791 (fax)
    Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Perry Hall Office

    Seven Oaks Senior Center
    9210 Seven Courts Drive
    Perry Hall, Maryland 21236
    By Appointment, Please Call 410-887-3384

    Staff

    Paula Houck, Senior Legislative Advisor
    Bradley Lang, Legislative Assistant and Eastern Community Liaison
    Judi Coleman, Community Liaison for Towson

    District Six – Councilwoman Cathy Bevins

    E-mail

    council6@baltimorecountymd.gov

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3388
    410-887-5791 (fax)
    Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    District Office

    7856 Belair Rd.
    Baltimore, MD 21236
    410-887-3388
    410-887-5410 (fax)

    Staff

    Doris Franz-Poling, Legislative Aide

    District Seven – Councilman Todd K. Crandell

    E-mail

    council7@baltimorecountymd.gov

    District Office

    7839 Eastpoint Mall Suite 307
    Baltimore, MD 21224
    410-887-3383
    410-285-7838 (fax)

    Towson Office

    400 Washington Ave.
    Towson, MD 21204
    410-887-3383
    410-887-5791 (fax)

    Legislative Aides

    Doug Anderson, Senior Council Assistant
    Ron Metzger, Legislative Aide
    Cleo Everd, Legislative Aide
    Linda Hoffer, Legislative Aide

    Template Letter

    Dear Councilman (or Councilperson) [LAST NAME], 

    As a constituent in your district of Baltimore County, I am writing to express my support  for changing the current law regarding keeping backyard chickens in Baltimore County, MD, specifically eliminating the requirement for a minimum of one (1) acre of land.

    Currently, according to the section of the law found in §100.6 of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations (BCZR), county residents are required to have a minimum of one (1) acre of land to be able to keep and raise backyard chickens. Since it is a requirement under the BCZR, county residents who do not own a lot that is an acre or more in size are required to navigate a lengthy, confusing and expensive process to request a variance from the Baltimore County Zoning Review Office. Unfortunately, the variance process is designed for and much better suited to requesting variances related to construction and land development. There is also no guarantee that the request will be approved.

    [OPTIONAL personal experience message on variance process here. Keep it brief and within the context of the Backyard Chicken Caucus’s key messaging]

    We are advocating for the law to be reworked in a more equitable fashion that is based on common sense, scientific facts, and addresses the issue in a way that is constructive and designed to truly care about the welfare of both county residents and the chickens that are at the heart of the issue. As a member or supporter  of the Backyard Chicken Caucus for Baltimore County, I support the mission to seek and secure changes to the Baltimore County Code so that: 1) the requirement for a minimum of 1-acre of land is no longer a barrier, and 2) the County adopts common sense, factually informed laws regarding the keeping and raising of backyard chickens.

    The Backyard Chicken Caucus also has a mission to provide education and resources to backyard chicken owners as well as to the county residents we call our neighbors. Now more than ever as more and more people try their hand at owning backyard chickens as an unanticipated result of the current pandemic, it is important to educate everyone on how to successfully raise their flocks. It is not just enough to legalize backyard chickens, declare victory and then exit stage left. By providing education and resources about pet chickens, it will benefit not only the backyard flock but also surrounding neighbors and communities. The Backyard Chicken Caucus wants to ensure that backyard chickens can co-exist peacefully with others in a neighborhood setting.

    I am asking you to consider sponsoring/supporting legislation to change the existing Baltimore County law and join with the many hundreds of Baltimore County residents who have signed the petition created by the Caucus in support of this movement. You can learn more about backyard chickens and read about common myths surrounding backyard chickens as well learn the truth that dispels those myths or learn more about the Caucus and the work they are doing  at Backyard Chicken Caucus for Baltimore County.

    Thank you for your time and I welcome any questions you might have.

    Sincerely,
    [YOUR NAME]