Bethlehem, PA Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Bethlehem has codified a six-animal household threshold. Section 1159.04 of the Codified Ordinances at https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ordinances requires application for a permit for any household keeping more than six animals, providing the City with an early intervention point before conditions reach a nuisance or cruelty escalation. Section 1159.06 layers nuisance and sanitation enforcement on top, and Section 1159.05 establishes the City Animal Control Officer. Each individual dog three months or older must be licensed annually under the Pennsylvania Dog Law (3 P.S. Section 459-201) through the county treasurer (Lehigh County for residents on the Lehigh side of Bethlehem and Northampton County for residents on the Northampton side); fees are $8.50 spayed-neutered and $10.50 intact. Section 1159.12 echoes that state license requirement locally. Households operating commercial kennels (boarding, breeding, selling more than 26 dogs in a calendar year) face separate state-level kennel licensing under 3 P.S. Section 459-206, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/animals/pets/kennels.html. Multi-cat households that produce odor, noise, or sanitation issues are commonly cited under Section 1159.06 nuisance provisions. When conditions cross the line into neglect or animal cruelty, the Lehigh Valley Humane Society humane officers can pursue charges under 18 Pa.C.S. Sections 5532-5534, with seizure and forfeiture remedies.