Animal Ordinances in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bethlehem's Codified Ordinances flatly prohibit keeping cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, horses or fowl anywhere within city limits. Fowl is defined broadly to include chickens, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and peacocks, so backyard chicken coops are not permitted. Only properties already approved for farming before the amendment, or sites approved by the Bureau of Health for slaughtering or laboratory use, are exempt.
Bethlehem Bans Livestock and Fowl Citywide
Heavy RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1159.07
No person shall keep or maintain any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas/alpacas, horses or fowl within the City, except on properties approved for farming previous to the date of this ordinance amendment and that meet all requirements for farming as outlined in the City of Bethlehem Zoning Ordinance and at such other places where animals are kept for slaughtering or for laboratory purposes whi...
Dog Leash Laws
Bethlehem dogs must stay on a leash or other restraint whenever they leave the owner's premises, and letting a dog run loose on city streets is declared a public nuisance. Officers who catch a loose dog can seize and impound it, with the owner facing daily fees to get it back.
Bethlehem Requires Dogs Leashed Off Owner's Property
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem §§ 1159.06(A), 1159.15(A)
When not confined to the owner's premises, all dogs must be under the physical control of their owner or custodian and physically restrained by a leash or other restraining device at all times. ... No person owning or having in his custody any dog shall permit the dog to go at large to the injury or annoyance of others, nor shall any dog be permitted at large upon the streets or other public wa...
Breed Restrictions
Bethlehem does not regulate dogs by breed, but any dog of fierce, dangerous or vicious propensities, or a female dog in heat, cannot run at large or roam another owner's property. Officers impound such dogs on sight, and a dog too dangerous to safely capture may be slain in the field.
Bethlehem Impounds and May Destroy Dangerous Dogs
Significant RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1159.15(F)
No dog of fierce, dangerous or vicious propensities and no female dog in heat, whether licensed or not, shall be allowed to run at large or upon the premises of one other than the owner. Whenever any such dog is found running at large in violation of this article, it shall be taken up and impounded and shall not be released except upon approval of the Police Commissioner after payment of the fi...
Exotic Pets
Bethlehem bars keeping any wild or exotic animal, a term the code defines to include lions, wolves, venomous snakes, primates, alligators and dozens of other named species, anywhere but a zoo, vet clinic, humane society or licensed exhibition facility. Owners who had one before the ordinance passed could apply for a $10-a-year permit instead of giving it up.
Bethlehem Prohibits Keeping Wild or Exotic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1160.02(A)
No person shall keep a wild or exotic animal in any place other than a zoological park, veterinary hospital or clinic, humane society, or circus, sideshow, amusement show or facility used for educational or scientific purposes, which provides proper cages, fences and other protective devices adequate to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public, or causing a health hazard due to ...
Wildlife Feeding
Bethlehem bars feeding any animal or bird in a City park outright. Section 941.02(c)(2) makes it unlawful to give, offer, or even attempt to feed park wildlife, a rule dating to a 1970 ordinance and enforced as a summary offense alongside the rest of Article 941's park protections.
Bethlehem Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Heavy RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 941.02(c)(2)
(2) Feeding. No person shall give or offer, or attempt to feed any animal or bird in a park. (Ord. 2211 §3. Passed 9/22/1970.)
Pet Limits
Bethlehem limits any premises to six animals six months or older, regardless of how many owners live there, and treats exceeding that number as a public nuisance. Households wanting more must obtain an annual permit under Section 1159.04, backed by a veterinarian's health certificate, or qualify for a kennel license under the state Dog Law.
Bethlehem Caps Household Animals at Six
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1159.03
Except for species of fish, it shall be unlawful and it shall be deemed a public nuisance to keep more than six (6) animals six (6) months of age or older on any premises, regardless of the number of owners; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any premises for which a kennel license has been obtained pursuant to the Dog Law of 1965 (3 P.S. § 460-208 et seq.), as the same may...
Pet Store Rules
Bethlehem pet shops cannot sell or offer for sale any dog, cat or rabbit under a 2024 ordinance amendment. Stores may still host animal shelters or rescue organizations for adoption events, but only if the shop has no ownership stake in the animals and charges no fee for the space.
Bethlehem Bans Retail Pet Sales, Allows Adoptions
Heavy RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 1159.19
It shall be unlawful for a pet shop to sell or offer for sale a dog, cat, or rabbit. ... The pet shop does not have an ownership interest in the animals offered; and ... the pet shop does not receive a fee for providing space for the adoption of an animal. ... A violation of this section is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500.00 per animal offered for sale in violation ...
Bird Protection
Bethlehem's park code makes it unlawful to hunt, harm, trap or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird within a City park, and separately bars anyone from taking eggs, nests or the young of any bird or reptile. Only USDA animal control staff or City employees acting in that capacity are exempt from Section 941.02(c)(1).
Bethlehem Park Wildlife and Bird Protection
Heavy RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem § 941.02(c)(1)
(1) Hunting. No person in a park shall hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw projectiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall any person remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest, or young of any reptile or bird. Exception: Authorized USDA animal control representatives or City of Bethlehem employees.