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Allentown, PA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Kennel threshold
More than 6 dogs/domesticated animals over 4 months old
City Code
Chapter 163 (Animals) kennel definition
Residential zones
Kennels and pet shops not permitted (Ch. 660 Zoning)
State licensing
PA Dog Law kennel license (3 P.S. Sec. 459-206)

Summary

Allentown does not cap household pets by number directly, but City Code Chapter 163 defines any place keeping more than six dogs or domesticated animals over four months old as a 'kennel,' which is barred from residential zones. Pennsylvania's Dog Law also requires a state kennel license once an owner keeps a regulated number of dogs.

A kennel is a place, including a dwelling unit, in which more than six dogs or domesticated animals more than four months old are housed, bred, boarded, or sold. Kennels and pet shops shall not be permitted in residential areas as defined in Chapter 660, Zoning.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4995055; v49 updated 2026-06-26; through 06-26-2026).

Full Breakdown

Allentown regulates pet quantity through its kennel definition rather than a flat per-home limit. ' This effectively limits a residential household to six dogs/domesticated animals over four months old before it is reclassified as a non-permitted kennel use. S. Sec. 459-102; the City's six-animal threshold sits below or near the state kennel trigger, so larger collections may require both local zoning compliance and a state kennel license issued through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Violations & Fines

Operating a kennel in a residential zone is a zoning violation enforceable under Chapter 660. Keeping or operating an unlicensed kennel under the state Dog Law carries fines of $100 to $500 per day (7 Pa. Code Sec. 21.4).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many dogs can I keep in Allentown?
There is no flat numeric pet cap, but keeping more than six dogs or domesticated animals over four months old makes the property a 'kennel,' which is not permitted in residential zones under Chapter 163 and Chapter 660 Zoning.
Do I need a kennel license?
If you exceed the City's six-animal kennel threshold you must locate in an allowed zone, and Pennsylvania's Dog Law separately requires a state kennel license for kennels as defined by 3 P.S. Sec. 459-102.
Does the limit count puppies?
The kennel definition counts dogs or domesticated animals 'more than four months old,' so animals four months or younger generally are not counted toward the six-animal threshold.

Sources & Official References

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All Allentown rules

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