Can you keep backyard chickens in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture asks flock owners to register their premises so it can warn them if a nearby flock is infected; its page presents this as a request. Whether a law requires it wasn't established.
Read from 16 official sources42 passages quotedChecked October 24, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
State keeping rule
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
A sourced reading of Pennsylvania's state law, not legal advice. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local code before you get hens.
Keeping your flock
These findings cover the national or state scope stated below. They do not determine whether chickens are allowed at a particular home. City zoning, property restrictions and other local rules are outside this research.
Registering as a poultry keeper
No rule identified in this research
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Applies to: The Domestic Animal Law license for businesses dealing in or hauling domestic animals, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s request that flock owners register their premises.
Outside this finding's scope
- No registration duty for backyard poultry keepers was identified in the checked sources: the department’s page presents premises registration as a request, and the license covers carrying on the business of a dealer or hauler. Whether selling birds you raised can make you a dealer is not established here. This is not proof that no registration duty exists, and it is not permission to keep birds at a property.
What the checked sources say
- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture asks owners whose premises are not registered with it to register, and registered owners to keep their contact information current. It says a premises ID lets it find your premises on a map during a disease outbreak and warn you if your flock is at risk from a nearby infected flock. The page presents this as a request; it does not cite a legal requirement.
- The department’s premises form lists chickens among the species it asks about and is returned to the Bureau of Animal Health & Diagnostic Services.
- The Domestic Animal Law gives the department authority to impose identification requirements for domestic animals, which it defines as animals maintained in captivity. That grant of authority does not by itself create a premises-registration duty for poultry.
- A department license is required to carry on the business of a dealer or hauler of domestic animals, or to act as a dealer’s or hauler’s agent. A dealer buys, receives, sells, exchanges, negotiates or solicits the sale, resale, exchange or transfer of domestic animals to transfer ownership or possession to a third party.
Authority: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
If you don’t already have your premises registered with the department, please do so, and include current contact information. If you already have your premises registered with us, please make sure we have current contact information so we can reach you.
Avian Influenza page, Prevention section, second paragraph · Checked
Premise ID allows us to find your premises on a map in the event of a disease outbreak, and we can warn you if your flock is at risk due to a nearby infected flock.
Avian Influenza page, Prevention section, second paragraph · Checked
Return Form to: Bureau of Animal Health & Diagnostic Services
PA Premises Data Information Sheet (rev. Aug 2019), footer · Checked
Chickens
PA Premises Data Information Sheet, species checklist · Checked
The department shall have authority to impose requirements and methods for the identification of domestic animals owned, kept, possessed or transported within this Commonwealth.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2311, first sentence · Checked
An animal maintained in captivity.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2303, definition of "Domestic animal", first sentence · Checked
No person shall engage in or carry on the business of a dealer or hauler of domestic animals or of dead domestic animals or act as an agent for a dealer or hauler, unless such person is duly licensed by the department.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2342(a), first sentence · Checked
A person that buys, receives, sells, exchanges, negotiates or solicits the sale, resale, exchange or transfer of domestic animals or dead domestic animals for the purpose of transfer of ownership or possession to a third party.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2303, definition of "Dealer" · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
Check the official current-status pageOrders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-24
The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.
Conditions apply to this finding
Uses housing orders in this scope: Yes, according to the checked evidence, within the limits listed under “Outside this finding’s scope” below.
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Applies to: Quarantine orders the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture can issue under the Domestic Animal Law, including general quarantines of areas or localities and special quarantines of premises and domestic animals.
Outside this finding's scope
- The quarantine power does not in terms require birds to be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any quarantine or housing order applies now.
What the checked sources say
- Avian influenza is listed as a dangerous transmissible disease. Whenever such a disease exists inside or outside Pennsylvania, or on the other grounds the law lists, the department can establish and enforce quarantines of infected, exposed, suspected or susceptible domestic animals, applied to premises, areas or localities.
- A general quarantine is set by department order against an area or locality; a special quarantine is set by department order against premises, domestic animals or other listed items. Notice of a general quarantine order is advertised in the Pennsylvania Bulletin within 20 days and in a newspaper circulating in the area.
- It is unlawful to let a domestic animal under a general or special quarantine order stray beyond the quarantined premises, area or locality.
- The department can also regulate the keeping and handling of domestic animals to exclude or contain dangerous transmissible diseases.
- In a General Quarantine Order published in October 2024, the department cited section 2329 as its authority to establish three types of quarantine order. That is a dated example of the power being used; whether that order is still in force was not checked.
- As checked on 24 October 2026, the department’s avian influenza page said each presumed positive farm is quarantined and offered a way to check a farm’s location against an active control area or surveillance zone. Report suspected avian influenza 24 hours a day to the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed.
- Checked
- Recheck due
Historical evidence, as checked
These quotations record what was checked on the dates shown. They do not confirm an order's current status.
(6) Avian influenza, an infectious disease of poultry caused by Type A. influenza virus.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2321(a)(6) · Checked
Whenever a dangerous transmissible disease or contamination by hazardous substances exists anywhere within or outside of this Commonwealth,
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(a), opening clause · Checked
the department shall have the power to establish and enforce quarantines of any such infected, exposed, contaminated, suspected or susceptible domestic animal.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(a), first sentence, closing clause · Checked
and may be applied on or in or against any premises, area or locality as defined in this chapter.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(a), final clause · Checked
Quarantines shall be of three kinds:
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(b) · Checked
A general quarantine may be established and enforced by order of the department against any area or locality within this Commonwealth for any of the reasons set forth in subsection (a)
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(d)(1), first sentence · Checked
A special quarantine may be established and enforced by order of the department against any premises, domestic animals, conveyances, containers, goods, products or materials situated within this Commonwealth
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(e)(1), opening · Checked
Notices and copies of the order establishing a general quarantine shall be advertised in the Pennsylvania Bulletin within 20 days of the date of the order and in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the area or locality subject to the quarantine.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(d)(3), first sentence · Checked
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow a domestic animal that is the subject of a general or special quarantine order under this section to stray beyond the quarantined premises, area or locality.
3 Pa.C.S. § 2329(f)(2) · Checked
The department shall have authority to regulate the keeping and handling of domestic animals to exclude or contain dangerous transmissible diseases and hazardous substances and to protect the environment,
3 Pa.C.S. § 2305, first sentence · Checked
The Department, under the provisions set forth in section 2329 (related to quarantine) of the Domestic Animal Law (3 Pa.C.S.A. § 2329) has the authority to establish three different types of quarantine orders
54 Pa.B. 6717 (Oct. 26, 2024), Recital H · Checked
Saturday, October 26, 2024
54 Pa.B. 6717, issue date line · Checked
Each presumed positive farm is quarantined.
Avian Influenza page, Current Status, second paragraph · Checked
To determine the location of your farm relative to an active control area or surveillance zone in PA, click
Avian Influenza page, Current Status, third paragraph · Checked
If you suspect your poultry is infected with avian influenza, please report your concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852, option 1.
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Applies to: Animals to which a person has a duty of care under the neglect offence in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5532, whether or not the person owns the animal.
Outside this finding's scope
- Section 5532 does not apply to activity undertaken in a normal agricultural operation: normal activities, practices and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in year after year in producing and preparing poultry, livestock and their products for market.
- The subchapter does not apply to activity authorized under the game law (34 Pa.C.S.), and it lists further exemptions, including lawful conduct of specified research facilities.
- This finding is not a complete welfare code and sets no numerical space standard or property permission.
What the checked sources say
- You must provide for the basic needs of each animal you have a duty of care for, whether or not you own it: necessary sustenance and potable water; access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather, sufficient for the animal to retain body heat and stay dry; and necessary veterinary care.
- The subchapter defines domestic fowl as an avis raised for food, hobby or sport. It does not define "animal"; section 5532 refers to each animal.
The official wording
A person commits an offense if the person fails to provide for the basic needs of each animal to which the person has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, including any of the following:
18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a) · Checked
(1) Necessary sustenance and potable water.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a)(1) · Checked
(2) Access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather. The shelter must be sufficient to permit the animal to retain body heat and keep the animal dry.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a)(2) · Checked
(3) Necessary veterinary care.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5532(a)(3) · Checked
An avis raised for food, hobby or sport.
Sections 5532 (relating to neglect of animal), 5533 (relating to cruelty to animal), 5534 (relating to aggravated cruelty to animal), 5536 (relating to tethering of unattended dog) and 5543 (relating to animal fighting) shall not apply to activity undertaken in a normal agricultural operation.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5560 · Checked
Normal activities, practices and procedures that farmers adopt, use or engage in year after year in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products
18 Pa.C.S. § 5531, definition of "Normal agricultural operation", opening · Checked
This subchapter shall not apply to, interfere with or hinder any activity which is authorized or permitted under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) or the regulations promulgated under those laws.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5561(a) · Checked
(6) Conduct that is lawful under the laws of the United States or this Commonwealth relating to activities undertaken by a research facility that is one of the following:
18 Pa.C.S. § 5561(b)(6), opening · Checked
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Applies to: Pennsylvania’s state-law framework for local zoning of land uses and its limits on local ordinances affecting agricultural operations.
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Zoning ordinances may permit, prohibit or regulate land uses, but the sections quoted here don't name the local body that adopts them, so check the zoning where you live. HOA, rooster and setback rules aren't covered here.
- Whether a backyard flock is an agricultural operation under the Municipalities Planning Code, or a normal agricultural operation under the 1982 act (whose definition was not checked), is not established here.
What the checked sources say
- Zoning ordinances may permit, prohibit, regulate, restrict and determine uses of land. The statute’s listed exceptions include regulation of activities related to commercial agricultural production that would exceed the requirements of listed state laws, among them the 1982 act protecting agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances, and regulation of activities preempted by other federal or state laws.
- Zoning ordinances may not restrict agricultural operations, or their changes or expansions, in areas where agriculture has traditionally been present unless the operation will have a direct adverse effect on public health and safety. In this act an agricultural operation is an enterprise actively engaged in the commercial production and preparation for market of crops, livestock and livestock products.
- A local government unit may not adopt or enforce an unauthorized local ordinance. That includes an ordinance that prohibits or limits a normal agricultural operation, unless the unit has express or implied state-law authority to adopt it and is not prohibited or preempted from doing so.
The official wording
or the act of June 10, 1982 (P.L.454, No.133), entitled "An act protecting agricultural operations from nuisance suits and ordinances under certain circumstances," or that regulation of other activities are preempted by other Federal or State laws, may permit, prohibit, regulate, restrict and determine:
MPC (Act 247 of 1968) § 603(b), closing words of the opening paragraph · Checked
(1) Uses of land, watercourses and other bodies of water.
MPC § 603(b)(1) · Checked
Zoning ordinances may not restrict agricultural operations or changes to or expansions of agricultural operations in geographic areas where agriculture has traditionally been present unless the agricultural operation will have a direct adverse effect on the public health and safety.
MPC § 603(h), second sentence · Checked
A local government unit shall not adopt nor enforce an unauthorized local ordinance.
3 Pa.C.S. § 313(a) · Checked
(1) Prohibits or limits a normal agricultural operation unless the local government unit:
3 Pa.C.S. § 312, definition of "Unauthorized local ordinance", para. (1) · Checked
(i) has expressed or implied authority under State law to adopt the ordinance; and
3 Pa.C.S. § 312, "Unauthorized local ordinance" (1)(i) · Checked
(ii) is not prohibited or preempted under State law from adopting the ordinance.
3 Pa.C.S. § 312, "Unauthorized local ordinance" (1)(ii) · Checked
As defined under section 2 of the act of June 10, 1982 (P.L.454, No.133),
3 Pa.C.S. § 312, definition of "Normal agricultural operation" · Checked
and that regulation of activities related to commercial agricultural production would exceed the requirements imposed under the act of May 20, 1993 (P.L.12, No.6), known as the "Nutrient Management Act,"
MPC (Act 247 of 1968) § 603(b), opening paragraph, commercial agricultural production clause · Checked
"Agricultural operation," an enterprise that is actively engaged in the commercial production and preparation for market of crops, livestock and livestock products
MPC § 107(a), definition of "Agricultural operation" · Checked
Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Pennsylvania has the latest we've checked.
Next door
Every state on the map →Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Pennsylvania?
- Registration: no rule identified. The finding covers: The Domestic Animal Law license for businesses dealing in or hauling domestic animals, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s request that flock owners register their premises. Outside this finding's scope: No registration duty for backyard poultry keepers was identified in the checked sources: the department’s page presents premises registration as a request, and the license covers carrying on the business of a dealer or hauler. Whether selling birds you raised can make you a dealer is not established here. This is not proof that no registration duty exists, and it is not permission to keep birds at a property. Authority: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Pennsylvania?
- The state sources we read don't settle it, and we haven't identified who decides. Check your local rules before you get hens.
- Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Pennsylvania?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today. PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker page for Pennsylvania has the latest we've checked.
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