Right to Farm in Pennsylvania (2026)

9 rules on the books across Pennsylvania, 7 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Farm Nuisance Protection

Whether established farms are shielded from nuisance lawsuits and from local ordinances that would restrict their operations.

Pennsylvania's Right to Farm Act (Act 133 of 1982, 3 P.S. §951 et seq.) protects established agricultural operations…

State rules that limit how cities and counties may zone or restrict agricultural land uses, including livestock and crop operations.

Pennsylvania protects agricultural land through Agricultural Security Areas under Act 43 of 1981 and the Agricultural…

In Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, Use D24 Agriculture covers crops, dairy, livestock, poultry and bee raising, and it…

Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, defers to state agricultural law rather than its own zoning for normal…

Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, places farming in the AR Agricultural Residential District, where Table 2 of…

In Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, § 145-41 limits Commercial Livestock/Poultry Operations to the CR…

Pittsburgh's zoning code allows farming as "Agriculture (General)" only on lots of two acres or more, with a 50-foot…

Bensalem Township's R-A Rural District zoning allows agricultural or farm use (except piggeries) on lots of at least…

Philadelphia's Zoning Code classifies community gardens, market farms, and orchards as a protected Urban Agriculture…