Pet Limits: New York vs Philadelphia
How do pet limits rules compare between New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA?
New York has fewer restrictions than Philadelphia.
New York, NY
New York County
New York City sets no specific cap on the number of pets per dwelling. Crowding, odor, or unsanitary conditions are enforced under NYC Health Code Title 24 §161, and severe cases can escalate to cruelty charges under New York Agriculture and Markets Law §353.
View full New York rules →Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia County
Philadelphia Code §10-104 caps the total number of dogs and cats per dwelling at twelve. Households above the cap need a kennel license through Licenses and Inspections plus zoning compliance. Pennsylvania Dog Law adds kennel registration over twenty-six dogs annually.
View full Philadelphia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric cap | None citywide | - |
| Nuisance authority | Health Code §161 | - |
| Lease limits | Set by landlord or board | - |
| Cruelty backstop | Ag & Markets Law §353 | - |
| Lead agency | DOHMH and HPD | - |
| Household cap | - | Twelve dogs and cats |
| City code | - | Phila. Code §10-104(2) |
| Kennel zoning | - | Title 14 conditional use |
| State license trigger | - | 26+ dogs per year |
| Foster waivers | - | Via ACCT partners |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
New York FAQ
How many dogs can I legally own in a NYC apartment?
City law sets no number. Lease and co-op rules usually cap dogs at one or two and may restrict breeds. Health Code §161 only kicks in if conditions become unsanitary or create nuisance.
Can my landlord enforce a stricter pet limit than the city?
Yes. Private leases and co-op or condo bylaws may impose any pet rules they choose, including outright bans, subject to disability accommodations under federal Fair Housing Act and NYC Human Rights Law.
Philadelphia FAQ
How many pets can I have in Philadelphia?
Up to twelve dogs and cats combined over six months old per dwelling under Phila. Code §10-104. Adding more requires a kennel license from L&I plus zoning approval, and commercial standards for sanitation and noise.
Do animals under six months count toward the limit?
No. Phila. Code §10-104 counts only dogs and cats over six months. Litters of puppies or kittens may temporarily push a household above twelve, but the limit applies once they reach six months.
Compare other topics
See how New York and Philadelphia compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool