Millcreek, PA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Both rules sit in § 145-41 of the Millcreek Township Code. Chickens and ducks are a permitted accessory use in the CR District, but only as an accessory to a Single-Family Dwelling, Detached. They cannot be kept at single-family attached dwellings, duplexes, multi-family dwellings or in manufactured home parks. A lot up to 0.5 acre can hold six birds, the owner gets two more birds for each additional 0.25 acre above 0.5 acre, and no lot can hold more than 24. Buildings, coops and enclosures must be in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from rear and side property lines and no closer than 30 feet to dwellings on adjacent lots.

Geese, turkeys, peafowl, roosters and any other poultry are not allowed under the section. The birds are for the residents' personal use: selling chickens or chicken manure, or breeding chickens for commercial purposes, is prohibited, though the owner can sell or donate eggs. Killing or dressing birds raised on the premises is allowed only entirely within an enclosed building, with proper disposal. Enclosures must keep rodents from being harbored underneath or inside, feed must be stored in a secured, rodent-proof container inside an enclosed structure, and structures must stay sanitary and free of excrement and objectionable odor.

Care must meet 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5531 et seq. on animal cruelty. Noncommercial livestock is also a CR District accessory use to a Single-Family Dwelling, Detached. It requires a minimum lot area of two acres and a density of one animal per acre, with a maximum of five animals. Structures or enclosures housing the animals must be at least 50 feet from the property line, and on lots under five acres they cannot go in the front yard.