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Bethlehem, PA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Codified Ordinances § 941.02(c)(1)
Prohibited acts
hunt, harm, trap, shoot at birds/wildlife
Also barred
taking eggs, nests, young
Exception
USDA/City animal control staff only
First offense fine
$200 or 30 days
Enforcing agency
Police, Director, park employees

Summary

Bethlehem's park code makes it unlawful to hunt, harm, trap or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird within a City park, and separately bars anyone from taking eggs, nests or the young of any bird or reptile. Only USDA animal control staff or City employees acting in that capacity are exempt from Section 941.02(c)(1).

(1) Hunting. No person in a park shall hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall any person remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest, or young of any reptile or bird. Exception: Authorized USDA animal control representatives or City of Bethlehem employees.

View official code

Full Breakdown

02(c)(1), makes it unlawful for any person in a Bethlehem park to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird. The same subsection separately bars anyone from removing or possessing the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird. The only carve-out is for authorized USDA animal control representatives or City of Bethlehem employees acting in that capacity. 05(c)'s prohibition on discharging air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows or slings capable of harming wildlife inside a park or aimed into one from outside its boundaries, cross-referencing Article 725's general ban on discharging firearms.

01, so it covers South Mountain, Monocacy and Saucon Parks along with smaller neighborhood parks and the South Bethlehem Greenway. 09, which lets the Director, City park employees and police diligently enforce the article and eject any person violating it directly from the park.

Violations & Fines

Section 941.99 makes any violation of Article 941, including hunting, harming or throwing objects at birds, reptiles or animals, or taking eggs, nests or young, a summary offense: a $200 fine or thirty days in jail for a first violation, $500 or sixty days for a second, and $1,000 or ninety days for a third or later violation. The Director, City park employees and police may also eject violators from the park under Section 941.09(b).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to harm birds in a Bethlehem park?
Yes. Section 941.02(c)(1) makes it unlawful to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird anywhere in a City park, with the only exception for authorized USDA or City animal control staff.
Can I take a bird's nest or eggs I find in a park?
No. The same Section 941.02(c)(1) separately bars removing or possessing the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird found in a Bethlehem park, alongside the young of any wild animal.
What's the penalty for violating the park wildlife rules?
Section 941.99 treats any violation as a summary offense: a $200 fine or thirty days in jail for a first offense, rising to $1,000 or ninety days for a third or later offense, at the court's discretion.
Who enforces Bethlehem's park wildlife rules?
Section 941.09 empowers the Director, City police officers and City park employees to enforce Article 941, and gives them authority to eject any person violating the article from the park immediately.

Sources & Official References

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All Bethlehem rules

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