Can I keep chickens in Philadelphia, PA?
No — Philadelphia does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Live Poultry) / Ch. 10-100 (Animals), verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Code section | Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Live Poultry) / Ch. 10-100 (Animals) |
Under the current Philadelphia Code, live poultry may not be kept in residential areas; chickens are treated as prohibited livestock outside narrow agricultural exceptions. Bills to legalize up to six backyard hens were introduced in 2019 and again in 2022 but neither passed, so keeping hens in typical residential zones remains prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Philadelphia?
No — chickens are not allowed in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Live Poultry) / Ch. 10-100 (Animals)).
What law covers backyard chickens in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Live Poultry) / Ch. 10-100 (Animals). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 (Live Poultry) / Ch. 10-100 (Animals) — read the official code
“Philadelphia Code Section 10-112 regulates live poultry; keeping live poultry in residential areas is prohibited. Legalization bills introduced in 2019 and 2022 did not pass.” source
Last verified July 5, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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