Nearly every wild bird in Philadelphia is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code. Killing, trapping, or possessing protected birds, nests, or eggs requires a federal and state permit. Building owners face Lights Out Philly migration guidance.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §§703-712) makes it unlawful to take, possess, transport, or sell most native bird species, their parts, nests, or eggs without a US Fish and Wildlife Service permit. Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code (34 Pa.C.S. §2161) layers state protection on non-game and game birds, with PA Game Commission enforcement. Common Philadelphia exceptions are pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows, which are non-native and unprotected. Philadelphia hosts the voluntary Lights Out Philly program asking owners of large buildings to dim non-essential lighting during spring and fall migration to reduce bird-window collisions. Removing nests during active use, including chimney swifts, is illegal without a depredation permit.
MBTA violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $15,000 and six months jail per bird. PA Game Code violations carry summary fines from $200 to $1,500 per protected bird, plus replacement costs and possible loss of hunting privileges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's Noise and Excessive Vibration Code prohibits creating vibration that exceeds 0.15 inches per second beyond any property boundary, or 30 yards ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia restricts amplified devices in the right-of-way and on public transit, caps sirens at 128 dB beyond 10 feet, and requires home and vehicle alarm...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia caps amplified music and other sound by decibels above background at the property boundary: 3 dB near hospitals/schools/houses of worship, 5 dB ...
Philadelphia, PA
Under Philadelphia Code 12-903, the City's seasonal mechanical street-cleaning program imposes posted temporary no-parking windows between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.,...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia's Residential Permit Parking program (Code Chapter 12-2700) lets eligible residents buy annual permits that exempt their vehicles from meter and...
Philadelphia, PA
Any pool, spa, or hot tub accessory to a Philadelphia one-family dwelling must be surrounded by one of three approved barriers; the standard option is a 48-i...
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