Erie, PA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Erie has not adopted an urban-beekeeping ordinance comparable to those in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. The Codified Ordinances at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/erie/ Article 505 (Animals and Fowl) and the Zoning Ordinance in Part Twelve make no specific allowance for backyard hives in residential districts. In the absence of an express ordinance, the practical effect is that any hive proposed within City limits is subject to (1) zoning review by the Department of Code Enforcement to confirm whether it qualifies as a customary accessory use, and (2) potential nuisance enforcement under Article 505 if a hive triggers complaints about swarms or stings. At the state level the Pennsylvania Bee Law (3 Pa.C.S. Section 2101 et seq. at https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/pda/documents/plants_land_water/plantindustry/entomology/apiary/documents/pa%20bee%20law.pdf) requires every person owning or maintaining an apiary in the Commonwealth to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and submit hives to inspection by the State Apiarist; registration is approximately $10 for two years and supports tracking of American foulbrood and other diseases. Erie residents interested in beekeeping should: (1) confirm zoning with the Department of Code Enforcement at 814-870-1480; (2) register apiaries with PDA at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/plants-land-water/plant-industry/entomology/apiary-pollinator-services; and (3) follow Penn State Extension best practices (water source, hive orientation, six-foot fence flyway barriers, setbacks from property lines) to minimize neighbor complaints. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association (https://nwpabeekeepers.com/) covers Erie County and mentors new urban beekeepers.