6 rules for unincorporated Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Backyard chickens and livestock in Monroe County are governed by your township's zoning ordinance, which sets lot-size minimums and coop setbacks. Pennsylvania's Right to Farm Act protects qualifying commercial farms. In the Poconos' private communities, POA covenants frequently ban poultry and livestock outright regardless of township zoning.
The Pennsylvania Dog Law requires every dog to be confined, leashed, or under reasonable control at all times. All dogs three months or older must be licensed annually through the Monroe County Treasurer, and rabies vaccination is required. At-large dogs may be seized by the state dog warden.
3 P.S. § 459-201(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b), on or before January 1 of each year, the owner of any dog, three months of age or older, or upon transfer to a new owner, whichever comes first, except as hereinafter provided, shall apply to the county treasurer of his respective county...
Pennsylvania does not preempt local breed-specific legislation, so a Monroe County township could adopt breed rules, though most regulate by behavior instead. Under the PA Dog Law, dangerous-dog status turns on an individual dog's conduct, not its breed. POA covenants and insurers may restrict breeds separately.
Beekeeping is legal across Monroe County, but Pennsylvania's Bee Law requires every beekeeper to register their apiary with the state Department of Agriculture for disease inspection. Township zoning may add hive setbacks, and Pocono POA covenants can restrict or bar hives in residential communities.
Keeping exotic wildlife in Monroe County requires a Pennsylvania Game Commission permit; native and many wild species cannot be held as pets without one, and dangerous exotics are effectively barred. Township ordinances and Pocono POA covenants can add further restrictions on top of state law.
Feeding black bears is unlawful in Pennsylvania, a real concern in Monroe County, where the Poconos hold a substantial bear population. The Game Commission enforces the bear-feeding ban, and many townships and Pocono POA communities add rules against feeding deer or leaving trash and pet food that draws wildlife.
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