Pennsylvania Backyard Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements vary by municipality and zoning. Find your researched Pennsylvania city or county below.
Quick legal answer
Are backyard chickens legal in Pennsylvania?
Conditional — rules vary by municipality or zoning
- Hen limit
- Varies by city
- Roosters
- Varies by city; nuisance rules may also apply
- Permit
- Varies by municipality
- Setback
- Varies by municipality and zoning district
- Zoning
- Your city or county ordinance controls
Last verified: May 2026
Official source varies by municipalityOrdinances and zoning rules change. Confirm the current requirements with your municipality before buying birds or building a coop.
2
Cities allow chickens
2
Cities ban chickens
0
Conditional rules
4
Cities covered
Important: Local zoning and animal ordinances determine whether a particular property qualifies. Confirm the city or county rule that applies to your address. HOA covenants can also be more restrictive.
Easiest cities
Strictest cities
Harrisburg
Up to 10 hens. Poultry pen, shelter, or enclosure must be at least 75 ft from front, side, and rear lot lines
Pittsburgh
Up to 5 hens. Housing structures must meet urban agriculture standards; chicken/duck housing minimum 6 sq ft plus 2 sq ft per additional bird
Allentown
Allentown Code Section 163-13 prohibits keeping fowl in the city except for limited listed purposes.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 generally prohibits farm animals except in listed situations, including parcels of 3 or more acres.
About Pennsylvania Chicken Laws
Backyard chicken requirements in Pennsylvania vary across cities, counties, and zoning districts. Local rules address flock size, roosters, permits, coop setbacks, sanitation, and property qualifications.
Always verify rules directly with your city clerk or planning department before purchasing birds or building a coop. Laws change — our pages include a last-verified date and link directly to the municipal code for each city.
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