Animal Ordinances in Erie, PA (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The City of Erie prohibits keeping any animal usually kept as a farm animal or livestock; owners receive a seven-day warning to remove the animals or face a citation.
Farm Animals and Livestock Prohibited in City
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances, Article 729 (Animals)
No person shall board, breed, house, keep or maintain any animal which is wild, dangerous, noxious or naturally inclined to do harm in any place, nor any animal usually kept as a farm animal or livestock in the City of Erie.
Dog Leash Laws
Erie owners must keep dogs on a leash no longer than six feet whenever the dog is off the owner's property and on a public street, sidewalk or City property. Running at large draws a fine of $100 to $300, though a first offense can be reduced to a warning.
Erie Dogs Must Be Leashed Within Six Feet
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Erie, PA, Article 729 (Animals), §§ 729.01, 729.02, 729.03, 729.04, 729.99
§ 729.01: An animal is under restraint if he is controlled by a leash, at heel beside a competent person and obedient to that person's commands, or within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets, or within the property limits of its owner or keeper. All dogs shall be restrained by a leash not more than six feet in length when off the property limits of the owner and on the public street...
Breed Restrictions
Erie has no breed-specific ban; Pennsylvania state law expressly prohibits any local ordinance from prohibiting or limiting a specific breed of dog, so the City regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed.
Breed-Specific Bans Barred by PA State Law
Few RestrictionsPennsylvania Dangerous Dog Law, 3 P.S. Sec. 459-507-A(c) (Construction of article)
Those provisions of any ordinances of any political subdivision which deal with the registration, control and licensing of dogs as set forth in this act are hereby abrogated. A local ordinance otherwise dealing with dogs may not prohibit or otherwise limit a specific breed of dog. No liability policy or surety bond issued pursuant to this act or any other act may prohibit coverage from any spec...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Any dog or cat adopted from a City shelter or a nonprofit rescue in Erie must be spayed or neutered, by six months of age if placed young or within 30 days if placed older. Owners must give the placing organization proof from a vet or a signed affidavit.
Erie Requires Spay/Neuter for Shelter-Placed Pets
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Erie, PA, Article 729 (Animals), § 729.14, 729.99
Any dog or cat adopted or placed from a government or nonprofit organization, including City shelters, shall be spayed or neutered according to the following schedule: (a) Dogs or cats under six months of age at time of placement shall be neutered or spayed, as applicable, by six months of age or when deemed appropriate by a veterinarian. (b) Dogs or cats six months of age or older at time of p...
Pet Groomer Rules
Pet grooming is a straightforward permitted use in most of Erie's commercial zones, but the C-2 General Commercial District attaches a physical standard the others do not: Section 305.29 requires the operation to run inside a totally enclosed, sealed, air-conditioned structure at least 100 feet from the nearest dwelling.
Pet Grooming Allowed in Erie's Commercial Districts
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Zoning Ordinance §§ 204.6 (C-1 Permitted Uses), 204.7 (C-2 Permitted Uses), 305.29 (Animal Care Standards)
204.6. C-1 Local Commercial District. (a) Permitted uses: ... Pet grooming ... 204.7. C-2 General Commercial District. (a) Permitted uses. Accessory uses and structures Animal care/pet grooming (Section 305.29) ... 305.29. Animal care shall be totally enclosed in a sealed, air-conditioned structure at least 100 feet from the nearest dwelling when located in a C-2 District.
Bird Protection
Erie's park rules make it illegal to hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot at, or throw missiles at any bird within a city park. Taking a bird's eggs, nest or young, or possessing a wild bird, is also prohibited.
Hunting or Harming Birds Banned in Erie City Parks
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Article 955 (Parks and Playground Areas), Section 955.03(c)
Hunting. Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall be remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal, or the eggs, nest or young of any reptile or bird; nor shall be collect, remove, have in his possession, give away, sell or offer to sell, buy or offer to buy or accept as a gift, any specimen alive o...