Bethlehem, PA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl definition
- Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks (1159.02(J))
- Livestock covered
- Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, horses
- Exception
- Pre-existing approved farms or Bureau-approved sites only
- Enforcer
- Animal Control Officer and Bureau of Health
- Penalty range
- $100 to $1,000+, escalating per violation
Summary
Bethlehem's Codified Ordinances flatly prohibit keeping cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, horses or fowl anywhere within city limits. Fowl is defined broadly to include chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and peacocks, so backyard chicken coops are not permitted. Only properties already approved for farming before the amendment, or sites approved by the Bureau of Health for slaughtering or laboratory use, are exempt.
No person shall keep or maintain any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas/alpacas, horses or fowl within the City, except on properties approved for farming previous to the date of this ordinance amendment and that meet all requirements for farming as outlined in the City of Bethlehem Zoning Ordinance and at such other places where animals are kept for slaughtering or for laboratory purposes which have been approved by the Bureau of Health.
Full Breakdown
07 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem prohibits any person from keeping or maintaining cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, horses or fowl within the city, with two narrow carve-outs: properties already approved for farming before the ordinance amendment that continue to meet the City of Bethlehem Zoning Ordinance's farming requirements, and sites approved by the Bureau of Health for slaughtering or laboratory purposes. 02(J) defines fowl broadly as any bird typically used for food or eggs, expressly naming chickens, roosters, pigeons, turkeys, geese, ducks and peacocks, so a homeowner cannot keep even a small backyard flock of hens without qualifying under the grandfathered-farm exception.
01(C) cite accumulations of animal waste, disease spread, insect infestation, smell and noise from multi-animal keeping as the public nuisance the article targets. 05(E) and, if entry is refused, apply for a search warrant. 04 does for exceeding six household animals.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Article 1159, including the livestock and fowl ban, is punished under the escalating schedule in Section 1159.99: a fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense, $250 to $500 for a second, $500 to $1,000 for a third, and not less than $1,000 for a fourth or later offense. Each day the animals remain on the property counts as a separate violation, so fines compound quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Bethlehem?
Does the ban cover other farm animals?
Who enforces the livestock and fowl ban?
What happens if I keep chickens anyway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethlehem
How Bethlehem compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Bethlehem to another location·View the Pennsylvania animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.