Animal Ordinances in Lower Paxton, PA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Lower Paxton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, hens need a permit from the Department of Community Development, roosters are prohibited, and each parcel is limited to four hens on a lot of at least 1/5 acre in the R-1, R-2, R-3, CO, AR, or IN districts. Keeping cows, sheep, goats, or hogs requires a minimum lot area of five acres.
Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules in Lower Paxton Township
Significant RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 203-313(L)
L. Chickens, keep of. (1) The keeping of roosters shall be prohibited. (2) No parcel shall contain at any one time more than four hens over the age of one month. ... (3) Chickens shall be permitted only in R-1, R-2, R-3, CO, AR, and IN Zoning Districts. (4) No chickens shall be permitted upon lots of less than 1/5 acre. (5) Permits. (a) No person may own, keep, or harbor any chickens within the...
Dog Leash Laws
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Chapter 68 makes it unlawful to permit any dog, cat, pet or other livestock to run at large on the public streets, on another person's land, or on any property the owner does not possess. A summary conviction carries a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs.
Lower Paxton Township Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code §§ 68-1, 68-7
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any dog, cat, pet or other livestock owned by him or under his supervision or control to run at large either upon the public streets or highways of the Township, upon the private property of any other person or upon any property not belonging to or in the possession of the owner of such animals or to persons under whose supervision or control such a...
Beekeeping
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, a parcel can hold no more than two hives, each hive must sit at least 12 feet from every lot line, and a flyaway barrier at least six feet high is required beside the hives. The approval to keep bees is revoked if unprovoked stinging reaches people on other lots, streets, or sidewalks.
Beekeeping Rules in Lower Paxton Township, PA
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 203-313(K)
K. Bees, keeping of. (1) The applicant shall maintain the bees in a manner that does not create a public nuisance. (2) Bee colonies shall be maintained within hives. (3) Hives shall be located a minimum of 12 feet from any lot line. (4) All shall require the installation of a "flyaway barrier" of at least six feet in height, and placed within five feet of each hive, extending at least two feet ...
Wildlife Feeding
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, § 68-4 makes it unlawful to feed a wild animal unless licensed to do so. Small seed eating birds, squirrels and chipmunks are excepted. Mineral blocks and salt licks are also banned unless intended for authorized domestic livestock. Deer, bears, geese and turkeys are named among the covered wild animals.
Lower Paxton Township Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 68-4
It is unlawful for any person to feed a wild animal unless licensed to do so, with the exception of small seed eating birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is unlawful to place out mineral blocks or salt licks unless they are intended for authorized domestic livestock. For purposes of this section, wild animals shall include but not be limited to deer; bears; nondomestic canines; nondomestic feli...
Pet Limits
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, residents of each dwelling unit can keep a maximum combined total of five dogs and cats over six months of age. Any greater number needs approval as a kennel, and pigeons, ducks, geese, and similar fowl are barred from lots under one acre.
Pet Limits in Lower Paxton Township, PA
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 203-313(M)
M. Pets, keep of. (1) This is a permitted by right accessory use in all districts. ... (3) A maximum combined total of five dogs and cats shall be permitted to be kept by residents of each dwelling unit on their residential premises. (a) Such limits shall only apply to dogs or cats over six months of age. (b) Any greater number of dogs and/or cats shall need approval as a "kennel." (4) Pigeons,...
Cat Rules
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, § 68-5 allows feeding feral cats only as part of a feral cat management project that includes trap, neuter and release, or another program approved by the Board of Supervisors. If no such project exists, feeding feral cats is not lawful. Owned cats are covered by the at-large rule in § 68-1.
Lower Paxton Township Feral Cat Feeding Rules
Significant RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 68-5
The feeding of feral cats may only be done in conjunction with a feral cat management project, which must include a trap, neuter and release program ("TNR") or other program approved by the Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors. If a feral cat management project with TNR does not exist, the feeding of feral cats is not lawful.
Pet Groomer Rules
Lower Paxton Township's zoning chapter defines an animal grooming facility as a retail establishment for bathing, trimming and grooming small domestic animals, with no medical treatment or overnight boarding. Off-street parking is 2 spaces per grooming station plus 1 per employee.
Pet Grooming Facility Zoning in Lower Paxton Township
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code §§ 203-202 and 203-903
ANIMAL GROOMING FACILITY A retail establishment that provides bathing, trimming, and grooming services for small domestic animals on a commercial basis. An animal grooming facility does not include medical or surgical treatment or overnight boarding facilities. ... KENNEL A use of land and structures in combination wherein four or more domestic animals or pets six months or older are bred, trai...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Lower Paxton Township's zoning chapter treats a veterinary clinic as an animal hospital and veterinarian services use: medical or surgical treatment of animals, with boarding limited to short-term care incidental to treatment and no kennel services. Parking is 1 space per employee and 2 per exam room.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Lower Paxton Township
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code §§ 203-202 and 203-903
ANIMAL HOSPITAL AND VETERINARIAN SERVICES An establishment where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment and the boarding of animals is limited to short-term care incidental to the hospital use or temporary boarding during treatment. Animal hospitals and veterinarians do not include kennel services. ... VETERINARY CLINIC See "animal hospital and veterinarian services." ... Land ...
Bird Protection
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, § 132-3 bars anyone but authorized Township staff from killing, trapping, hunting, pursuing or deliberately disturbing any wild bird or animal in a Township recreation, park or conservation area. Violations are summary offenses with a fine up to $1,000.
Lower Paxton Township Park Bird and Wildlife Protection
Some RestrictionsLower Paxton Township Code § 132-3
No persons except those authorized by the Township and conducting Township business shall, in recreation, park or conservation areas: ... C. Kill, trap, hunt, pursue or in any manner deliberately disturb or cause to be disturbed any wild bird or animal within the recreation, park and conservancy sites owned by the Township, except as permitted in § 132-7C.