What Allentown Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Allentown is a mid-sized city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, with about 126000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 106 ordinances across 25 categories that affect daily life in Allentown.

Fire Regulations

Fire Pit Rules: The City of Allentown treats a backyard fire pit as a campfire, which requires a permit and a pre-lighting inspection by the Fire Prevention Office. The fire may be in an approved open container or on the ground, must sit at least 25 feet from any structure, and the pile may not exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height.

Also covered: Fireworks (moderate), Backyard Fires (strict), Brush Clearance (permissive). See the full fire regulations guide for Allentown for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Article 710.03(C)(1) makes it a noise disturbance to operate any radio, stereo, instrument, or sound amplifier at any time so as to be audible across a real property boundary, and 710.03(C)(4) bars loudspeakers and public-address systems on public rights-of-way between 10 P.M. and 7 A.M.

Also covered: Vehicle Noise (moderate), Quiet Hours (strict), Construction Hours (strict). See the full noise ordinances guide for Allentown for details.

Accessory Structures

Shed Rules: In Allentown a storage shed is an accessory structure that generally may not exceed 15 feet in height, may not stand in any front yard, and must be set back at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines and 10 feet from any street lot line (unless the Article 4 outbuilding tables set a specific figure). A shed of 150 square feet or less may sit on an abutting commonly owned lot.

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Allentown for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: Allentown bans keeping livestock and fowl within the City. City Code Chapter 163 makes it unlawful to keep or maintain any cattle, swine, sheep, goats or fowl except at licensed slaughtering or laboratory locations, so backyard chickens, roosters, ducks and similar poultry are not permitted in residential areas..

Also covered: Pet Limits (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Allentown for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Allentown requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Allentown for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: Type 1 home occupations may have no clients or non-resident workers at all. Type 2 home occupations may have up to 2 nonresident employees and may admit customers only by appointment between 8 a.m.

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Allentown for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: In Allentown, the owner of property abutting a public right-of-way is responsible for the care and maintenance of any shade (street) tree growing in that right-of-way. A City permit from the Department of Public Works is required before pruning, removing, planting, stump-grinding, or applying pesticide/fertilizer to a street tree, and all work must follow the City's Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice under Article 911 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (strict), Water Restrictions (moderate), Weed Ordinances (strict). See the full landscaping rules guide for Allentown for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Allentown restricts on-street parking of recreational and oversized vehicles - including buses, dual-wheel motor homes, oversized vehicles, school buses, tractor trailers, trailers, and truck campers - within residential and most non-industrial zoning districts (Chapter 660, Zoning) under Chapter 615, Part 3, Article XIV. The Allentown Parking Authority issues only short-term (24-hour, renewable) permits to load or unload a truck camper..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Allentown for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Allentown has no dedicated short-term-rental ordinance; any dwelling or rooming unit rented out, including STRs, must hold an active annual Residential Rental License under Article 1759, with a $75 per-unit fee and an inspection required for the initial license..

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Allentown for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Allentown's Chapter 556 is silent on fencing, so pool barriers are set by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (34 Pa. Code Sec.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Allentown for details.

Property Maintenance

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing: Allentown requires property owners to clear snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall ending. The city averages 33 inches of snow annually.

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Property Blight (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Allentown for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Allentown commercial drone operators must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. Additional local permits may be required for filming or surveying..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Allentown for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Allentown requires residential recycling of accepted materials. Contamination with non-recyclables may cause entire bins to be rejected at the curb..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Allentown for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Allentown requires food trucks to obtain a mobile food vendor permit and health department approval. Annual licensing and vehicle inspections are typically required..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Allentown for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Allentown requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit. Background checks and identification badges are commonly required..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Allentown for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Allentown limits the percentage of a lot that can be covered by impervious surfaces and structures. Residential lots typically allow 40 to 60% coverage..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Allentown for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Allentown designates heritage or landmark trees based on size, age, or species. Removal or damage to heritage trees carries significant penalties..

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate), Tree Removal Permits (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Allentown for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Allentown may require a free or low-cost permit for garage and yard sales. Permit ensures compliance with time, signage, and frequency limits..

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Frequency Limits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Allentown for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Allentown enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Allentown for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Allentown enforces FEMA flood zone development standards. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas face elevation requirements, flood insurance mandates, and construction restrictions..

Also covered: Erosion Control (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Allentown for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Allentown restricts home cannabis cultivation to licensed medical patients only. Recreational growing is prohibited.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Allentown for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Allentown regulates outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution and glare. Fully shielded fixtures required for new installations.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Allentown for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Allentown follows state landlord-tenant law for evictions. Landlords must follow proper notice procedures but may not need to state cause for non-renewal of month-to-month tenancies in most cases..

Also covered: Rental Registration (moderate), Rent Control (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Allentown for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Allentown requires building permits for solar panel installations. Permit processes vary but most jurisdictions have streamlined solar permitting.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Allentown for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Allentown generally permits holiday decorations and displays on residential property with minimal restrictions. Displays should not create traffic hazards, excessive noise, or fire risks.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Allentown for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Allentown includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.