Animal Ordinances in Lancaster County, PA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Lancaster County has no countywide leash law. Statewide, the Pennsylvania Dog Law requires every dog be confined to the owner's premises, secured, or under a person's reasonable control at all times. Each municipality (60 of them) may add stricter leash rules.
Dog leash and confinement rules in Lancaster County
Some Restrictions3 P.S. §459-305(a)
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to fail to keep at all times the dog in any of the following manners: (1) confined within the premises of the owner; (2) firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured; or (3) under the reasonable control of some person.
Breed Restrictions
Pennsylvania bans breed-specific legislation, so no Lancaster County municipality may outlaw pit bulls or any breed. Dogs are instead regulated individually under the state's dangerous-dog law based on behavior, not breed.
Dog breed restrictions in Lancaster County
Some Restrictions3 P.S. §459-502-A
Proper enclosure means the secure confinement of a dangerous dog either indoors or in a securely enclosed and locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and domestic animals and designed to prevent the dangerous dog from escaping.
Exotic Pets
You cannot own exotic wildlife in Lancaster County without a state permit. The PA Game Commission (34 Pa.C.S. §2963) requires a possession permit for exotic wildlife, and it is unlawful to keep such animals without one.
Exotic and wild animal ownership in Lancaster County
Some Restrictions34 Pa.C.S. §2963
It is unlawful for any person to possess, purchase or receive exotic wildlife, without first securing a permit to possess exotic wildlife issued under this section or regulations pertaining to this section.
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding bears and elk is always illegal in Pennsylvania, and deer feeding is banned in Lancaster County, which sits in a Chronic Wasting Disease management area. These Game Commission rules are statewide; municipalities may add feeding restrictions.
Feeding wildlife rules in Lancaster County
Some RestrictionsPA Game Commission wildlife-feeding regulations (34 Pa.C.S. / 58 Pa. Code)
It's illegal to feed deer in areas with targeted feeding restrictions and always illegal to feed bear and elk.
Pet Limits
Lancaster County has no hoarding ordinance, but Pennsylvania's animal-cruelty law reaches hoarding through the neglect statute (18 Pa.C.S. §5532), which requires basic care for every animal. The Pennsylvania SPCA and humane officers investigate hoarding cases here.
Animal hoarding and neglect enforcement in Lancaster County
Some Restrictions18 Pa.C.S. §5532(a)
A person commits an offense if the person fails to provide for the basic needs of each animal to which the person has a duty of care, including necessary sustenance and potable water, access to clean and sanitary shelter and protection from the weather, and necessary veterinary care.
All Lancaster County ordinances
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