Animal Ordinances in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
11 verified animal ordinances for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Pittsburgh allows chickens, ducks, goats, and honeybees by right in any residential yard, but caps counts by lot size, bans roosters outright, and requires coops sized six square feet plus two per bird.
Pittsburgh Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 912.07.B
Roosters are not permitted; (8) For property with a minimum of two thousand (2,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted five (5) chickens or ducks. For every additional one thousand (1,000) square feet of property, the resident is permitted one (1) additional chicken or duck, with no other livestock for lots under ten thousand (10,000 square feet). (9) For property with a minim...
Dog Leash Laws
Pittsburgh bans dogs running at large on streets, sidewalks, or private property; owners must restrain dogs with a leash or a chain no longer than six feet in all public places.
Pittsburgh Dog Leash & Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 633.08
No person, whether as owner or person in possession, shall permit his or her dog to run at large upon the public streets, sidewalks or other public places, or upon the property of another. A dog shall be restrained by the use of a leash, or a chain not exceeding six (6) feet in length, at all times when upon public places, streets and park. (a) Exceptions. It is not a violation of this secti...
Breed Restrictions
Pittsburgh has no breed ban. Under Code § 633.20, a dog is declared dangerous individually under Pennsylvania's Dangerous Dog Law, then the City Treasurer issues a registration certificate and required warning sign.
Pittsburgh Dangerous Dog Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 633.20
Enforcement of the Dangerous Dog Law shall be pursuant to 3 P.S. § 459-501 et seq., and any amendments thereto. The City Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to collect and retain all fees and fines associated with the determination and registration of a dangerous dog, issue the appropriate certificates of registration and dangerous dog warning signs and carry out all other duties and fu...
Beekeeping
Pittsburgh allows residents to keep honeybees by right as an accessory use, with hive counts tied to lot size and a mandatory flyway barrier near property lines.
Pittsburgh Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 912.07(B)
For property with a minimum of two thousand (2,000) square feet in size, the resident is permitted to keep two (2) beehives. For every additional two thousand (2,000) square feet of property, the resident is permitted two (2) additional beehives... A "flyway barrier" of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided at all places on the property line that are within twenty (20) feet of the h...
Exotic Pets
Pittsburgh outlaws purchasing, displaying, selling, or possessing wildlife anywhere in the city unless a Pennsylvania Game Law permit authorizes it, which bars ordinary residents from keeping wild or exotic animals as pets.
Pittsburgh Wild Animal Possession Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 636.04
No person shall purchase, display, sell, or possess any wildlife in the City except as permitted by the Pennsylvania Game Law, 34 P.S., Section 1311.401, et seq., as amended by Act No. 60 of 1982.
Pet Limits
Pittsburgh caps households at five dogs and cats combined under City Code Section 633.12, though licensed kennels and catteries can exceed that limit with a permit from the Bureau of Animal Care and Control.
Pittsburgh Pet Limit: Max 5 Dogs or Cats
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 633.12
No person or residence shall be permitted to own, harbor or maintain more than five (5) dogs or cats or any combination thereof within City limits. This section shall not affect any person or residence whose number of dogs, cats or any combination thereof exceeds the limit of five (5) prior to the effective date of this section and upon elimination of dogs or cats by adoption, death or any perm...
Cat Rules
Pittsburgh doesn't license cats, but any cat allowed to roam freely must wear a collar or tag with the owner's name, address and phone number under City Code § 633.03.
Pittsburgh Cat ID & At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 633.03
No person shall keep, harbor or maintain a cat that roams freely unless the owner identifies the cat or cats with an identification collar or tag that shall clearly and legibly state the cat owner's name, address and telephone.
Coyote Management
City parks ban hunting, molesting, or feeding wild animals and birds, but Pittsburgh runs an official Deer Management Program letting Public Safety-authorized bow hunters cull overpopulated deer under Pennsylvania Game Commission and USDA oversight.
Pittsburgh Park Wildlife & Deer Cull Rules
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 473.01(c)
Wild Animals and Birds: Hunting. No person in a park shall hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird... Exception: Persons may take such actions prohibited in this section only to the extent that they are authorized participants in an official City Deer Management Program... Feeding. No person in a park shall give or offer... ...
Pet Store Rules
Pittsburgh pet shops and other commercial establishments may sell dogs, cats, or rabbits only if the animal came from an animal care facility or rescue organization: sourcing from commercial breeders for retail resale is prohibited citywide.
Pittsburgh Pet Store Retail Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 638.02
It is unlawful for any person to display, offer for sale, deliver, barter, auction, give away, transfer, or sell any live dog, cat, or rabbit in any pet shop or other commercial establishment located in the City of Pittsburgh, unless the animal was obtained from an animal care facility or a rescue organization. All pet shops or other commercial establishments selling dogs, cats, or rabbits shal...
Bird Protection
Pittsburgh bars anyone from harming a wild or non-domesticated bird, including pigeons, and limits capture or trapping to trained Bureau staff, vets, and permitted wildlife rehabilitators.
Pittsburgh Wild Bird Capture and Harm Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 636.06
No person or entity shall harm any wild or non-domesticated bird. No person or entity, other than a properly qualified and trained employee of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Animal Care and Control, licensed veterinarians, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife capture and transportation permittees, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission shall capture or trap any wild or non-domesticated bird.
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Pittsburgh law limits who may capture or trap a wild or non-domesticated bird, including pigeons, to the city's Animal Care and Control Bureau, licensed vets, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, permitted wildlife handlers, and the PA Game Commission, with a narrow rescue exception for the public.
Pittsburgh Wild Bird Capture and Rescue Permits
Significant RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 636.06(b)
No person or entity, other than a properly qualified and trained employee of the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Animal Care and Control, licensed veterinarians, licensed wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife capture and transportation permittees, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission shall capture or trap any wild or non-domesticated bird. (c) The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Animal Care & Control ...
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