You cannot own exotic wildlife in Lancaster County without a state permit. The PA Game Commission (34 Pa.C.S. §2963) requires a possession permit for exotic wildlife, and it is unlawful to keep such animals without one.
Exotic-wildlife possession is governed statewide by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, not the county. Under 34 Pa.C.S. §2963, no one may possess, purchase, or receive exotic wildlife — such as big cats, bears, wolves, and certain nonhuman primates — without first securing a Game Commission permit, and the Commission will not grant one until it is satisfied housing and public-safety provisions are proper. Separately, municipalities may restrict or prohibit exotic or wild animals in residential zones. Common domestic pets are unaffected. Contact the Game Commission's Southeast Region office before acquiring any regulated exotic animal.
Possessing exotic wildlife without a permit is a summary offense; accumulated field-receipt penalties are capped at $300, with no limit on penalties a court may assess. Each day is a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Lancaster County has no backyard-composting ordinance. Home composting is allowed statewide and encouraged by PA DEP; nuisance limits (odor, rodents, setback...
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Lancaster County does not regulate artificial turf. Whether you may install synthetic lawn, and any impervious-coverage or stormwater limits, is set by your ...
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Lancaster County does not require or restrict native-plant landscaping. Whether a meadow or native garden is allowed depends on your municipality's grass/wee...
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Rainwater collection is legal statewide in Pennsylvania; neither Lancaster County nor the state restricts it, and PA DEP encourages rain barrels for stormwat...
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Lancaster County sets no watering schedule. Water-use restrictions in Pennsylvania come from the state Drought Task Force and PA DEP. Watering limits are vol...
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Lancaster County sets no weed ordinance; your municipality does (e.g., Lancaster City's six-inch limit). Statewide, Pennsylvania's Controlled Plants and Noxi...
See how Lancaster County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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