Thinking about raising chickens in PA? Before you build that coop, check your local rules—and check your space! Visit ChickenCoopCalculator.com to get accurate coop sizing, setback guidance, and local-law savvy advice.
🐓 Pennsylvania Statewide Requirements
Under Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, **every livestock owner—including someone with just one chicken—must have a written manure management plan**. This ensures that runoff from chicken manure doesn’t pollute streams or stormwater drains near your property.
📍 Key Counties & Borough Regulations (Municipality-Level)
Berks County – Caernarvon Township & Leesport Borough
Caernarvon: up to 3 chickens per ¼ acre on lots under 5 acres; roosters prohibited.
Leesport: up to 6 hens allowed in rear yards; coop must be fully enclosed and setback at least 10 ft from property lines .
Centre County – Spring & Brenner Townships
Spring Township permits up to 4 hens; coops must be enclosed, predator‑resistant, ventilated, at least 10 ft from lot lines and 30 ft from neighboring buildings.
Brenner Township: on ½–2 acre parcels, max 5 hens; on parcels from 2–10 acres, max 25 hens; larger parcels no set limit and roosters allowed .
Chester County – Accessory Use Ordinance
Chicken keeping is allowed by special exception. Generally, 3 chickens per acre plus one additional per ¼ acre up to 20 total; no limit on lots over 5 acres. Roosters allowed only on ≥5‑acre lots. Coops must be ≥50 ft from lot lines and ≥75 ft from other residences. Periodic inspections may apply .
Clearfield County – Clearfield Borough & Lawrence Township
Clearfield Borough: up to 6 hens (no roosters), coops with attached run, minimum 4 sq ft per bird. Setbacks: 10 ft from lot line, 25 ft from adjacent building.
Lawrence Township: similar 6-chicken limit, coop floor ≤144 sq ft, at least 15 ft from property lines .
Mercer County – Hermitage & West Homestead Boroughs
Hermitage: up to 4 chickens on ½ acre, one additional per ¼ acre beyond that; coop ≥30 ft from property lines.
West Homestead: 8 hens on 2,000–20,000 sq ft; 12 on 20,000–40,000 sq ft; additional based on lot size; roosters often prohibited .
Monroe County
Up to 8 chickens per lot; add one chicken per 1,000 sq ft over 10,000 sq ft; coop and chicken structures must be ≥10 ft from neighboring dwellings .
Lycoming County
Chicken coops permitted with indoor area max of 40 sq ft. Only hens allowed. Details may vary by township—check local zoning .
Additional Boroughs – Borough of Media, PA
Requires biannual permit, neighbor notification, class completion. Chickens kept for noncommercial use only, must be enclosed, feed stored securely, manure disposed within 24 hours, coop elevated off the ground and cleaned regularly. Limits on odors, noise, predators, and pests .
🏘️ Suburban & Township Examples
— **College Township (Centre County):** Max 4 hens; setbacks include 10 ft from lot lines and 30 ft from other buildings; coop at least 3 sq ft per bird and run 10 sq ft; permits required; fines escalate from $25 to $100; noise rules enforced .
— **Churchill Borough:** Up to 4 chickens in rear yards of R‑district homes; coop must enclose them; no free-range allowed .
— **McCandless Township (Allegheny County):** Chickens allowed by permit in specific zones. Building permit is required and Certificate of Approval must be displayed on the coop .
📋 Quick Summary Table
| Municipality / County | Max Hens | Roosters? | Permit? | Setbacks & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caernarvon Twp (Berks) | 3 per ¼ acre | No | Check local | Coop ≥10 ft from lot line |
| Leesport Borough | 6 hens | No | Yes | Rear yard only |
| Spring Twp (Centre) | 4 hens | No | Yes | 10 ft line, 30 ft buildings |
| Brenner Twp (Centre) | 5–25 based on acreage | Yes (≥5 ac) | Yes | Rules vary by lot size |
| Chester Co. (many townships) | 3/ac +1 per ¼ ac, up to 20 | Yes (≥5 ac) | Yes | Coop ≥50 ft line, ≥75 ft residences |
| Clearfield Borough | 6 hens | No | Yes | 10 ft line, 25 ft neighbor |
| Lawrence Twp (Clearfield) | 6 hens | No | Yes | Coop ≤144 sq ft, 15 ft from line |
| Hermitage (Mercer) | 4 + extras per acreage | No | Yes | Coop ≥30 ft line |
| West Homestead (Mercer) | 8–12+ hens | No | Yes | Varies by acreage |
| Monroe County | 8 + extras per 1,000 sq ft | Check local | Yes | ≥10 ft from dwelling |
| Lycoming County | Not specified | No | Check local | Coop ≤40 sq ft |
| Media Borough (Delco) | Enforced case-by-case | No | Yes, bi‑annual | Strict sanitation, noise, odor |
| Churchill Borough (Allegheny) | 4 hens | No | Yes | Rear yard only, no free‑range |
| McCandless Twp (Allegheny) | Varies by zone | Usually No | Yes | Permit + certificate required |
✅ What You Should Do Next
- Identify the **exact borough, township or municipality** where your property lies.
- Visit your local zoning or planning department’s website (e.g. via eCode360).
- Look for specific rules on number of hens, rooster presence, coop/run setbacks, lot size requirements, and permit or license fees.
- Prepare a **manure management plan** as required under state law .
🐔 Ready to Plan Your Perfect Coop?
Don’t guess on space or setbacks. Visit ChickenCoopCalculator.com to generate custom coop dimensions, check local requirements, and avoid costly mistakes.
With the right planning tools, you can keep your flock safe, compliant, and happy—with minimal stress for you (and your neighbors).