Animal Ordinances in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
10 verified animal ordinances for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, § 3-509.7 allows poultry only on a lot with a land area of 40,000 square feet or more, with no more than 10 birds per 40,000 square feet and pens 75 feet from the front, side and rear lines. Other farm animals need 60,000 square feet for the first animal.
Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-509.7
§ 3-509.7. Restrictions on farm animals. A. Unless otherwise permitted by the Chief of Police, the keeping or maintaining of any farm animal, with the exception of poultry, shall be permitted only on land of sufficient area so that there shall be 60,000 square feet for the first animal with 20,000 square feet for each additional animal. ... B. The keeping or maintaining of poultry shall be perm...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, § 3-505.9 bars any dog, cat or other animal from running at large on public streets, sidewalks, public places or another person's property. In public places, streets and parks the animal must be on a leash or chain not exceeding eight feet in length at all times.
Dog Leash and At-Large Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-505.9
§ 3-505.9. Dogs and cats at large prohibited; restraint. A. No person, whether as owner or person in possession, shall permit a dog, cat or other animal to run at large upon the public streets, sidewalks or other public places or upon the property of another. A dog, cat or other animal shall be restrained by the use of a leash or a chain not exceeding eight feet in length at all times when upon...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Chapter 3-513 classifies any animal with at least one listed characteristic as dangerous, without naming a breed. Section 3-513.1 A lists behavior and trait criteria, and owners of a designated animal face enclosure, signage, $50,000 insurance and muzzle-and-leash duties.
Dangerous Animal Designation Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-513.1
§ 3-513.1. Criteria for determination of dangerous animal. A. In order to preserve the public health, safety and welfare of the community, any animal which possesses at least one out of the following list of characteristics shall automatically be determined and classified as a dangerous animal: ... (1) A strong fighting instinct and a low level of fighting inhibition which make these animals ha...
Exotic Pets
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, § 3-509.6 bars any person from owning, harboring or maintaining a wolf, wolf hybrid, nondomestic cat or nondomestic cat hybrid within City limits. Animals owned by a City resident before the chapter's effective date are protected, and other wild animals need a City permit.
Wolf and Nondomestic Cat Ban in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Heavy RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-509.6
§ 3-509.6. Wolves, nondomestic cats and hybrids. No person shall be permitted to own, harbor or maintain a wolf or wolf hybrid or nondomestic cat or nondomestic cat hybrid within City limits. This section shall not affect any such animal owned by a person living within the City limits prior to the effective date of this chapter.
Pet Limits
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, no person is permitted to own, harbor or maintain more than five dogs or cats, or any combination of them, in one residence or building under § 3-505.8. A companion rule in § 3-509.2 sets five animals of any species and a ceiling of 10 per household.
Pet Limits per Household in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-505.8
§ 3-505.8. Number of dogs and cats permitted in City limits. No person shall be permitted to own, harbor or maintain more than five dogs or cats or any combination thereof within the City limits in one residence or building. This section shall not affect any person or residence whose number of dogs, cats or any combination thereof exceeds the limit of five prior to the effective date of this se...
Cat Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, § 3-503.1 requires a license from the Chief of Police or an authorized agent for every cat over three months old, valid January 1 to December 31. Fees paid to the City Treasurer are $5 for an unspayed or unneutered cat and $3 for a spayed or neutered cat or one under six months old, and a cat that goes onto public places must wear a collar with the tag.
Cat Licensing and Nuisance Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-503.1; § 3-503.3; § 3-503.4
§ 3-503.1. Cat license required. A. No person shall keep, harbor or maintain a cat over the age of three months unless the owner obtains a license from the Chief of Police or an authorized agent. B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to cats whose owners are within the City for 60 days or less or to cats brought in this City for the purpose of participating in a cat show or similar ...
Pet Store Rules
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pet shops, breeders and foster homes that sell or give away more than five dogs and/or cats in a calendar year need an annual kennel/cattery permit under § 3-507.1. The code regulates these sales through permits, health records and cage sizes rather than an adoption-only mandate.
Pet Shop Permit Rules in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-507.1
§ 3-507.1. Kennel/cattery permits. A. Breeders, foster homes, pet shops, and similar establishments that keep, harbor, board, shelter, lease, sell, or give away more than five dogs and/or cats in a calendar year shall apply to the City for a kennel/cattery permit on or before January 1 of each year. ... B. The fee for a kennel/cattery permit shall be $25 plus a registration fee of $25 for each ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, an animal hospital, veterinarian, or kennel is permitted by right in the CG and IND Zoning Districts and by special exception in the CN Zoning District. Buildings housing animals must sit 50 feet from any residential lot line, and outdoor dog runs must be 150 feet from any existing dwelling.
Veterinarian and Animal Hospital Zoning in Harrisburg, PA
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-309.2
E. Animal hospital/veterinarian/kennel. An animal hospital/veterinarian/kennel shall be permitted by right in the CG and IND Zoning Districts and by special exception permit in the CN Zoning District subject to the following criteria: (1) Any structure in which animals are treated or housed shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any "residential lot line." Buildings shall be adequately soundproofed...
Bird Protection
In City of Harrisburg parks, Pennsylvania, no person can hunt, harm, frighten, chase, trap or shoot a bird, or take its eggs, nest or young, except to aid it in distress. Giving a bird tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances in a City park is also prohibited.
Harrisburg PA Park Rules Protecting Birds, Nests and Eggs
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 10-301.4
§ 10-301.4. Wild animals, birds and reptiles. A. No person in any park shall hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot, or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird or remove or have possession of the young of any wild animal, or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird, except to aid the same when in distress; provided, however, that snakes known to be deadly po...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, keeping any wild animal as a pet requires a City permit under § 3-509.5 B. The City issues a temporary permit for the keeping, care and protection of a homeless infant wild animal native to the area, and the Chief of Police can order its release.
Wild Animal and Infant Wildlife Permits in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-509.5
§ 3-509.5. Keeping of wild animals. ... B. No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild animal as a pet without a permit from the City. C. The City may issued a temporary permit for the keeping, care and protection of an infant wild animal native to this area which has been deemed to be homeless. D. The Chief of Police shall have the power to release or order the release of any infant wil...