10 rules for unincorporated York County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
York County does not regulate backyard chickens. In Pennsylvania, keeping poultry is a land-use question decided by your borough, city, or township zoning ordinance under the Municipalities Planning Code. Some York County municipalities (like Hanover Borough) have residential-chicken rules; others treat it as an accessory or agricultural use.
Leash rules in York County, PA come from two layers. In county parks, Chapter 75 requires every dog on a tethered leash under immediate control. Statewide, the PA Dog Law (3 P.S. §459-305) bars a dog from straying off the owner's property. Everyday street leashing is set by your borough
No Pennsylvania municipality may ban or restrict a dog by breed. The PA Dog Law, 3 P.S. §459-507-A(c), states a local dog ordinance may not prohibit or limit a specific breed. So no borough or township in York County can outlaw pit bulls or any breed; dangerous dogs are handled
York County does not regulate backyard beekeeping. Statewide, every Pennsylvania beekeeper must register colonies with the PA Department of Agriculture under the Bee Law. Where hives may be placed, and any hive limits or setbacks, are set by your borough or township zoning ordinance, not the county.
York County has no exotic-pet ordinance. In Pennsylvania, keeping exotic wildlife such as big cats, bears, wolves, and venomous reptiles requires a permit from the PA Game Commission under the Game and Wildlife Code. Your borough or township may add local restrictions through zoning.
York County has no countywide wildlife-feeding ordinance. Statewide, the PA Game Commission prohibits feeding bears and elk and can order a stop to any feeding that draws bears or deer into conflict. Feeding pigeons or strays that creates a nuisance is handled by your borough or township.
York County does not regulate keeping horses, cattle, goats, pigs, or sheep. In Pennsylvania, whether livestock is allowed, minimum lot sizes, and setbacks are set by your borough, city, or township zoning ordinance under the Municipalities Planning Code, so rules vary sharply between rural townships and built-up boroughs.
York County has no ordinance using the word 'hoarding,' and animal-cruelty enforcement is statewide. Severe cases are prosecuted under Pennsylvania's Title 18 cruelty and neglect statutes, while the PA Dog Law's 26-dog kennel threshold and local pet limits cap large accumulations. The York County SPCA takes in seized animals.
York County sets no cap on how many dogs or cats you may own. Any per-household pet limit comes from your borough, city, or township ordinance. Statewide, the PA Dog Law simply requires each dog three months or older to be licensed with the York County Treasurer and vaccinated against
Pennsylvania does not license or leash cats, and York County sets no cat ordinance. The one firm statewide rule is rabies: 3 P.S. §455.8 requires every cat over three months of age to be vaccinated. Cat nuisance, roaming, or feral-colony questions are handled by your borough or township.
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