10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Montgomery County sets no rule on keeping chickens or livestock — this is zoning, decided by your borough or township under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Many suburban Montgomery municipalities restrict or ban hens; a few allow limited flocks. Check your municipal zoning ordinance.
Montgomery County has no countywide leash ordinance — your borough or township sets that. Statewide, PA's Dog Law requires every dog to be confined, secured, or under reasonable control. In county parks, dogs must be leashed on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
3 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... confined within the premises of the owner... firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises... or under the reasonable control of some person.
Montgomery County has no breed-specific ban, and Pennsylvania state law prohibits municipalities from banning dogs by breed. Regulation is by behavior: the PA Dog Law's dangerous-dog provisions apply to any dog that attacks, regardless of breed.
Montgomery County sets no beekeeping ordinance. Hive placement is a municipal zoning matter, while colony registration and disease inspection are handled statewide by the PA Dept. of Agriculture under the Bee Law. Register hives with the state, then check your township zoning.
Montgomery County sets no exotic-pet ordinance. Keeping wild or exotic animals is controlled statewide: the PA Game Commission requires an exotic-wildlife-possession permit for native and many exotic species, and the state Dept. of Agriculture handles certain dangerous animals.
Montgomery County has no general wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Pennsylvania bans feeding deer, bears and elk statewide. The PA Game Commission prohibits intentionally feeding these animals, and county parks bar feeding wildlife on park property.
Montgomery County does not regulate livestock keeping — whether you can keep horses, goats, cattle, sheep or pigs is a zoning decision made by your borough or township under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Suburban districts commonly prohibit livestock; agricultural zones allow it.
Montgomery County has no separate hoarding ordinance, but Pennsylvania's animal-cruelty statutes cover neglect and hoarding conditions statewide. Cases are investigated by the Montgomery County SPCA's humane officers and prosecuted by the District Attorney; municipalities enforce related property and nuisance codes.
Montgomery County sets no limit on the number of pets. Caps on dogs or cats per household are set by individual boroughs and townships through zoning or nuisance ordinances. At the state level, anyone boarding or selling enough dogs needs a PA kennel license.
Montgomery County has no cat licensing or leash requirement, and Pennsylvania does not license cats statewide. Free-roaming cats, feral colonies and TNR are handled by municipalities and the Montgomery County SPCA rather than by any county ordinance.
2 cities in Montgomery County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Montgomery County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Montgomery County Ordinance Hub →