Philadelphia, PA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Phila. Code Sec. 10-112
- Definition section
- Phila. Code Sec. 10-101(8)
- Minimum lot for farm animals
- 3 or more acres
- Pigs
- Banned even on 3+ acre lots
- Enacting ordinance
- Bill No. 040566 (2004)
Summary
Philadelphia generally prohibits keeping chickens, poultry, and livestock; farm animals (other than pigs) are allowed only on parcels of three or more acres, plus narrow exceptions like slaughterhouses, zoos, and vet clinics.
Sec. 10-112. Keeping Farm Animals. (1) No person shall keep a farm animal anywhere except: (a) at a licensed slaughterhouse or commercial retailer of live animals sold to be killed for use as food; (b) if the animal was purchased to be killed for food and is kept for no more than 24 hours; (c) at a zoological park; (d) at a veterinary hospital or clinic; (e) at an animal shelter; (f) at a circus or other licensed entertainment venue; (g) at a facility used for educational or scientific purposes, such as schools and laboratories; or (h) on a parcel of real property of 3 or more acres, provided this subsection (h) shall not apply with respect to pigs. [Sec. 10-101(8): Farm Animal. Any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, goat, sheep, pig, cow, or other farm animal, provided such other farm animal presents a public nuisance due to smell and/or noise. Does not include a cat or dog.]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Keeping Farm Animals), as amended by Bill No. 040566 in 2004, makes it unlawful to keep a farm animal anywhere except in listed locations: a licensed slaughterhouse or commercial live-animal retailer selling animals to be killed for food; an animal purchased for food and kept no more than 24 hours; a zoological park; a veterinary hospital or clinic; an animal shelter; a circus or licensed entertainment venue; an educational or scientific facility such as a school or laboratory; or on a parcel of real property of three (3) or more acres -- though the three-acre exception does not apply to pigs, which remain banned outside slaughter and the other narrow uses.
Section 10-101(8) defines a 'farm animal' as any chicken, goose, duck, turkey, goat, sheep, pig, cow, or other farm animal that presents a public nuisance due to smell and/or noise (cats and dogs are excluded). Because typical Philadelphia residential lots are far smaller than three acres, backyard chickens are effectively prohibited in most of the city. Animal husbandry as urban agriculture is regulated separately under Zoning Code Section 14-603 and remains subject to these Title 10 limits.
Violations & Fines
Keeping prohibited farm animals violates Phila. Code Sec. 10-112 and is enforced by ACCT Philly and the Department of Public Health with code penalties and removal of the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens in Philadelphia?
Are pigs ever allowed in Philadelphia?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
How Philadelphia compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania animal ordinances overview
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