Animal Ordinances in Franklin Township, PA (2026)
4 verified animal ordinances for Franklin Township, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, permits chickens as outdoor pets in every zoning district under Code § 27-1719, but only on lots of at least 30,000 square feet. Owners may keep 10 chickens on up to two acres, five more per additional acre, capped at 50 birds total, and roosters are barred unless the lot exceeds five acres.
Backyard Chickens in Franklin Township, PA
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code § 27-1719
1. Chickens, as outdoor pets, may be kept in all zoning districts. 2. The minimum lot size to keep and/or raise chickens shall be 30,000 square feet. 3. A maximum number of 10 chickens may be permitted on lots containing 30,000 square feet and up to two acres in size. For each additional acre of land, five additional chickens shall be permitted. ... ... 5. The maximum number of chickens that ma...
Dog Leash Laws
Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bans letting any animal run at large on streets, public property and parks, or trespass on another owner's private land. Section 2-201 defines 'immediate control' as an effective leash, or a leash combined with a harness, halter or muzzle. Police, dog control officers or the Township's contracted animal control agency may seize and impound a loose animal under Chapter 2, Part 2.
Franklin Township Requires Leashed Control of Animals
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code §§ 2-201, 2-202, 2-203
It shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian or keeper of any animal to allow such animal to run at large at any time upon any of the streets or public property and parks in Franklin Township. Further, it shall be unlawful for the owner, custodian or keeper of any animal to allow such animal to run at large or trespass, whether under the immediate control of the owner or not, upon private prop...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, a veterinary hospital is not a permitted use anywhere in the zoning code: it appears only in the C Commercial District's conditional-use list. Code § 27-1002 requires an applicant to seek Board of Supervisors approval as a conditional use, alongside gasoline stations, hotels, and wineries, before opening one.
Franklin Township Veterinary Hospitals Need Conditional Use
Significant RestrictionsFranklin Township Code § 27-1002, Subsection 3.B
§ 27-1002. Use Regulations. ... 3. Conditional Use. ... A. Gasoline service station. B. Veterinary hospital.
Bird Protection
Franklin Township bars hunting, capturing or killing any bird or animal, game or otherwise, in any township park unless the township grants written permission. Section 16-103.S carves out a specific exception for fishing done under a valid Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission license.
Franklin Township Park Bird Hunting Ban
Significant RestrictionsFranklin Township Code § 16-103.S
§ 16-103. Prohibited Acts and/or Conduct. ... ... 1. The following rules, regulations and prohibitions shall apply to any park operated by Franklin Township: ... ... S. Hunting for, capturing or killing, or attempting to capture or kill or aid or assist in the capturing or killing of, in any manner, any bird or animal of any description either game or otherwise, unless written permission of the...
Looking for Chester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin Township city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Chester County →