Scranton, PA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Scranton has not adopted an urban-beekeeping ordinance comparable to those in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. The Code of Ordinances at https://ecode360.com/11604508 (Chapter 169 Animals) and the Scranton Zoning Ordinance make no specific allowance for backyard hives as a customary accessory use in residential districts. In the absence of an express ordinance, any hive proposed within City limits is subject to (1) zoning review by Scranton's Code Enforcement Division to confirm whether it qualifies as a customary accessory use, and (2) potential nuisance enforcement under Chapter 169 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. Scranton residents interested in beekeeping should: (1) confirm zoning with Scranton Code Enforcement; (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 Northeast Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association covers Lackawanna County and mentors new urban beekeepers.