Pennsylvania's statewide Dog Law (3 P.S. §459-101 et seq.) requires every dog to be 'confined' on the owner's premises, secured by leash or chain, or under reasonable control of a person, with violations enforced as a 'dog at large' summary offense (3 P.S. §459-305). The PA Dog Law also requires annual licensing of all dogs over 3 months old through the county treasurer, plus current rabies vaccination per 7 Pa. Code Ch. 16. Lehigh County dog licenses are issued by the Lehigh County Treasurer. The City of Allentown supplements with its own leash and animal-nuisance ordinance enforced by the Allentown Health Bureau and Police Department.
Pennsylvania's Dog Law of 1982 (Act 225 of 1982, codified at 3 P.S. §459-101 et seq.) is the primary statewide framework for dog regulation. Section 305 (3 P.S. §459-305) requires that no dog 'shall be permitted' to run at large; specifically, every dog must be: (1) confined within the premises of the owner, (2) firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device that will not permit the dog to stray off the owner's premises, or (3) under the reasonable control of some person. A dog found off the owner's premises and not under control is presumed to be 'running at large' - a summary offense. Dogs that attack humans or other domestic animals can be declared 'dangerous dogs' under 3 P.S. §459-502-A through §459-507-A, requiring registration, secure enclosure, $50,000 surety bond or liability insurance, and microchipping. All dogs over 3 months old must be licensed annually through the county treasurer (3 P.S. §459-201); licensing requires proof of current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian under 3 P.S. §459-301 and 7 Pa. Code Chapter 16. Lehigh County dog licenses are issued by the Lehigh County Treasurer's office at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South 7th Street, Allentown - annual fees (set by 3 P.S. §459-201): $8.95 (spayed/neutered) or $11.95 (intact); seniors 65+ and persons with disabilities pay $6.95/$9.95. Lifetime licenses (with permanent ID) are also available. Rabies vaccination is required by 12 weeks of age, with boosters per 7 Pa. Code §16.23. Within municipalities, additional rules apply - the City of Allentown (Codified Ordinances Chapter 905, 'Animals') enforces a stricter local leash rule prohibiting dogs from being off-leash anywhere in public, and the Allentown Health Bureau handles barking-dog and nuisance complaints. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (state dog wardens) enforces the Dog Law statewide, with local police providing concurrent enforcement of local ordinances.
A first violation of the Dog Law's 'at large' provision (3 P.S. §459-305) is a summary offense punishable by a fine of $25-$300 under 3 P.S. §459-902. Failure to license is a separate summary offense, $25-$300 per day under 3 P.S. §459-201. Dangerous-dog violations under §§459-502-A et seq. can be third-degree misdemeanors with up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine, escalating to first-degree misdemeanors (5 years/$10,000) for severe attacks. Local ordinance violations - such as Allentown's leash rule - carry separate fines under the city's general penalty section. Dogs causing serious injury may be ordered destroyed, and owners face strict civil liability under 3 P.S. §459-502-A and Pennsylvania common-law negligence.
Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County itself does not enforce a countywide quiet-hours ordinance - under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. §101...
Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County does not regulate fence heights directly - under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.), fence...
Lehigh County, PA
Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2017 (35 P.S. §1303 et seq.), as amended by Act 74 of 2022, legalized consumer fireworks (aerial and explosive devices) for residents ...
Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County does not regulate STR parking. Under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, off-street parking minimums and on-street rules fall to each of the 2...
Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County does not regulate STR occupancy. Under the PA Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968), zoning and occupancy authority sits with the 25 c...
Lehigh County, PA
Lehigh County imposes a 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax on stays under 30 days, including Airbnb/Vrbo rentals. Hosts also collect 6% PA state Hotel Occupancy Tax, 6...
See how Lehigh County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.