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Representative Contact Information

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 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 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

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]