Backyard Livestock Laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide preemption law that standardizes livestock ordinances across all municipalities — rules are set at the city and county level. This guide covers the major cities and counties in Pennsylvania where backyard livestock questions are most commonly searched.
Pennsylvania has significant urban-rural variation. Lancaster County is among the most agriculturally permissive counties in the eastern U.S. due to its farming heritage. Philadelphia has a relatively permissive urban chicken ordinance for a major northeastern city.
Major Pennsylvania Cities — Chicken & Livestock Rules Summary
| City / County | Current Rules (verify locally) |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Chickens permitted in residential zones; no formal permit required for 4 or fewer; historic urban agriculture tradition |
| Pittsburgh | Up to 6 hens, no roosters, permit required |
| Allentown | Up to 4 hens, permit required |
| Erie | Up to 6 hens, permit required |
| Lancaster City | Up to 6 hens; Lancaster has a particularly strong urban agriculture and heritage farming culture |
| Lancaster County (unincorporated) | Very permissive; strong Amish and Mennonite agricultural traditions shape relatively liberal county ordinances |
Data current as of late 2024. Ordinances change — always verify with your local planning department.
State-Level Registration Requirements
Beekeeping: Pennsylvania requires registration of all managed honey bee hives with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Contact your state's apiary division for current registration fees and requirements.
Livestock generally: Pennsylvania does not require state-level registration for small-scale backyard livestock (chickens, goats, rabbits) below commercial thresholds. However, certain disease reporting requirements may apply if your flock shows signs of reportable diseases — contact your state Department of Agriculture's animal health division for details.
Finding Unincorporated County Rules in Pennsylvania
If your property is in an unincorporated area (not within city limits), county zoning rules apply rather than municipal ordinances. County rules are generally more permissive than city ordinances. To confirm whether you're incorporated or unincorporated, check your county assessor's parcel records — the "jurisdiction" or "municipality" field will show if you're in a city or in unincorporated county territory.