Animal Ordinances in Delaware County, PA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Delaware County sets no rule on backyard chickens or livestock: this is municipal zoning. Each of the 49 boroughs and townships decides whether hens are permitted, how many, and setbacks. Densely built areas like Upper Darby generally prohibit poultry; check your municipal zoning code.
Backyard chickens and livestock rules in Delaware County, PA
Some Restrictions53 P.S. §10601 (PA Municipalities Planning Code)
The governing body of each municipality, in accordance with the conditions and procedures set forth in this act, may enact, amend and repeal zoning ordinances to implement comprehensive plans and to accomplish any of the purposes of this act.
Dog Leash Laws
Dogs are allowed in Delaware County parks only on a leash no longer than six feet, and only in areas where dogs are permitted at all; every other animal an owner controls is barred from park grounds outright. Off-leash dogs are allowed solely inside areas the county has designated as dog parks.
Delaware County Parks Six-Foot Leash Rule
Some RestrictionsDelaware County Code § 141-3N
No person shall cause or permit any animal owned by them, in their custody or under their control (except a dog in a permitted area, when restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length, or those animals permitted by state statute) to go or be in any park area. Each such animal so found at large may be seized and disposed of as provided by the law or ordinance covering the disposal of st...
Wildlife Feeding
County Code § 141-7.A(3) bars feeding any animal or waterfowl in a Delaware County park unless the food is expressly approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, closing off the deer, goose and stray-cat feeding that draws crowds and pests to picnic areas.
Feeding Wildlife Banned in Delaware County Parks
Some RestrictionsDelaware County, PA Code § 141-7.A(3)
No person shall feed any animal or waterfowl any food or other substance except such food expressly permitted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. B. Natural resources. The following activities are prohibited without written permission from the Delaware County Parks and Recreation Department, pursuant to Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources guidelines: (1) Cutting...
All Delaware County ordinances
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