Can I keep chickens in Ephrata, PA?
Yes, with conditions — Ephrata allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations. Coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Ch. 123, Art. I (Keeping and Burial of Animals), Section 123-3, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Coop rules | Pens or coops required; no fowl in any cellar or allowed to run at large; no pen or coop within 25 ft of any dwelling or street; kept clean, free from vermin, dry, airy and not overcrowded. |
| Code section | Ch. 123, Art. I (Keeping and Burial of Animals), Section 123-3 |
Ephrata Borough prohibits keeping chickens or other fowl anywhere in the borough except with special permission of the Health Officer. If granted, birds must be kept in coops no closer than 25 feet to any dwelling or street, kept clean and disease-free, and not allowed to run at large. The Health Officer may cap the number of birds as a permit condition. A separate exception applies where farming is legally allowed under the zoning ordinance.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Ephrata?
Yes, with conditions — Ephrata allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (Ch. 123, Art. I (Keeping and Burial of Animals), Section 123-3).
How many chickens can I keep in Ephrata?
It depends on your lot. Keeping fowl requires special permission of the Health Officer; the maximum number is set case-by-case as a permit condition, so no fixed count exists. Coop must be at least 25 ft from any dwelling or street.. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Ephrata?
Yes — Ephrata requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Ephrata?
25 feet minimum. Pens or coops required; no fowl in any cellar or allowed to run at large; no pen or coop within 25 ft of any dwelling or street; kept clean, free from vermin, dry, airy and not overcrowded.
What law covers backyard chickens in Ephrata?
Ch. 123, Art. I (Keeping and Burial of Animals), Section 123-3. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 123, Art. I (Keeping and Burial of Animals), Section 123-3 — read the official code
“No person, firm or corporation shall keep any chickens or other fowls at any place within the Borough of Ephrata except with special permission of the Health Officer.” source
“No pen or coop shall be located within 25 feet of any dwelling or street.” 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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