Is Maryland dog friendly?

We analyzed 333 cities across Maryland. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

⚠️No Preemption Law: Beware, local municipalities in Maryland can legally ban specific dog breeds (like Pitbulls or Rottweilers). Check local HOA/city codes.

State Average Score

B+

89/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Easton (A+)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

2.6clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

247days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 138 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Maryland, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Easton is the strongest performer in this 138 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A+, helped by 268 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. Brock Hall still trails this comparison set at C-, which matters because a state-level laggard is not always a disaster city so much as a place with thinner margins for dog owners.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Maryland fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $64/mo, moving to a high-demand area like Travilah can push this implicit pet tax up to $118/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Maryland currently lacks a statewide BSL preemption law. That means local governments may still regulate targeted breeds, so readers should verify current city ordinances and lease rules before moving with a pit bull-type dog, rottweiler, or other commonly restricted breed.

Ranked Cities in Maryland

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

333 cities audited

Showing the first 100 of 138 representative cities in Maryland.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Easton	A+	268	$41	5.96	17,202
#2	Cambridge	A+	254	$34	4.44	13,094
#3	Severna Park	A+	268	$57	5.58	39,499
#4	Brooklyn Park	A+	263	$51	5.58	15,799
#5	Frederick	A+	247	$59	5.34	80,617
#6	Glen Burnie	A+	234	$56	5.58	72,772
#7	Hagerstown	A+	236	$36	4.27	43,490
#8	Annapolis	A+	268	$65	5.58	40,744
#9	Lake Shore	A+	268	$63	5.58	18,263
#10	Aberdeen	A+	249	$47	4.76	16,831
#11	Havre de Grace	A+	249	$46	4.76	14,857
#12	Edgewood	A+	249	$50	4.76	25,170
#13	Baltimore	A+	247	$45	3.92	577,193
#14	Bel Air South	A+	249	$58	4.76	57,702
#15	Eldersburg	A	247	$58	4.54	30,626
#16	Ferndale	A	234	$60	5.58	17,076
#17	Halfway	A	236	$41	4.27	10,974
#18	Bel Air North	A	249	$58	4.76	31,599
#19	Ballenger Creek	A	247	$67	5.34	25,866
#20	Arnold	A	268	$76	5.58	23,866
#21	Bel Air	A	249	$53	4.76	10,616
#22	Westminster	A	216	$49	4.54	20,257
#23	Joppatowne	A	249	$56	4.76	13,397
#24	Parole	A	268	$77	5.58	17,910
#25	Severn	A	234	$73	5.58	58,041
#26	Odenton	A	247	$76	5.58	45,585
#27	Essex	A	263	$46	3.92	40,670
#28	Dundalk	A	263	$49	3.92	65,441
#29	Crofton	A	247	$77	5.58	29,878
#30	Riviera Beach	A	234	$68	5.58	12,608
#31	Linthicum	A	234	$67	5.58	10,545
#32	Maryland City	A	247	$77	5.58	18,669
#33	Honeygo	A	263	$43	3.92	12,022
#34	Parkville	A	263	$51	3.92	30,423
#35	Rosedale	A	263	$49	3.92	20,845
#36	Overlea	A	263	$46	3.92	12,430
#37	Pasadena	A	234	$79	5.58	32,717
#38	Lexington Park	A	254	$59	3.4	13,419
#39	Salisbury	A	234	$44	3.08	33,080
#40	Woodlawn	A	247	$50	3.92	40,476
#41	Arbutus	A	234	$43	3.92	20,869
#42	Rossville	A	263	$51	3.92	15,088
#43	Linganore	A	247	$80	5.34	13,044
#44	Perry Hall	A	263	$56	3.92	28,908
#45	Lochearn	A	247	$50	3.92	27,591
#46	Cumberland	A	232	$25	2.02	18,938
#47	California	A	254	$63	3.4	13,223
#48	Middle River	A	263	$57	3.92	31,616
#49	Fort Meade	A	247	$83	5.58	10,477
#50	Randallstown	A	247	$54	3.92	35,975
#51	Milford Mill	A	247	$55	3.92	31,939
#52	Cockeysville	A	247	$54	3.92	23,265
#53	Catonsville	A-	247	$59	3.92	42,717
#54	Pikesville	A-	247	$58	3.92	34,253
#55	Reisterstown	A-	247	$56	3.92	27,764
#56	Columbia	A-	247	$70	3.54	105,871
#57	Towson	A-	247	$62	3.92	57,683
#58	Carney	A-	263	$63	3.92	28,624
#59	Urbana	A-	247	$90	5.34	13,897
#60	Annapolis Neck	A-	268	$98	5.58	12,484
#61	Takoma Park	A-	247	$49	3.24	17,522
#62	Owings Mills	A-	247	$64	3.92	35,626
#63	North Laurel	A-	247	$67	3.54	25,201
#64	Green Valley	A-	247	$94	5.34	13,187
#65	Ellicott City	A-	234	$70	3.54	73,737
#66	White Marsh	A-	263	$65	3.92	10,480
#67	Mays Chapel	A-	247	$62	3.92	15,616
#68	Ilchester	A-	234	$69	3.54	27,552
#69	Timonium	A-	247	$63	3.92	10,880
#70	Silver Spring	A-	247	$66	3.24	82,129
#71	Damascus	A-	247	$58	3.24	16,864
#72	La Plata	A-	247	$52	1.86	10,470
#73	Germantown	B+	247	$69	3.24	90,521
#74	Aspen Hill	B+	247	$67	3.24	53,752
#75	Gaithersburg	B+	247	$70	3.24	69,225
#76	Montgomery Village	B+	247	$66	3.24	34,161
#77	White Oak	B+	247	$62	3.24	16,458
#78	Waldorf	B+	247	$68	1.86	82,541
#79	Elkridge	B+	234	$77	3.54	26,183
#80	Fairland	B+	247	$65	3.24	26,183
#81	Garrison	B+	247	$71	3.92	10,449
#82	Wheaton	B+	247	$75	3.24	52,172
#83	Elkton	B+	238	$48	1.52	15,867
#84	Colesville	B+	247	$67	3.24	14,075
#85	Ocean Pines	B+	252	$67	2.61	12,028
#86	North Bethesda	B+	247	$76	3.24	49,498
#87	Glenmont	B+	247	$69	3.24	16,529
#88	Brandywine	B+	247	$35	1.44	10,989
#89	Cloverly	B+	247	$71	3.24	16,726
#90	Rockville	B+	247	$79	3.24	67,218
#91	Flower Hill	B+	247	$71	3.24	13,743
#92	Redland	B	247	$75	3.24	18,976
#93	Kemp Mill	B	247	$74	3.24	14,437
#94	Calverton	B	247	$77	3.24	17,721
#95	Bethesda	B	247	$85	3.24	67,403
#96	Clarksburg	B	247	$80	3.24	29,246
#97	Olney	B	247	$84	3.24	36,000
#98	Burtonsville	B	247	$78	3.24	10,063
#99	North Potomac	B	247	$85	3.24	23,994
#100	Glassmanor	B	247	$52	1.44	17,687

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 138 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Easton currently ranks first in Maryland. It posts a Paw Score grade of A+, supported by 268 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Maryland is approximately $64 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

It depends on the city. Maryland does not have statewide BSL preemption, so individual municipalities may still regulate or ban certain breeds. Always verify local codes and lease rules before relocating with a restricted breed.