Can I keep chickens in York, PA?
No — York does not allow backyard chickens in residential zones. (Article 705 (Keeping of Animals), Sections 705.03 and 705.06, verified July 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Code section | Article 705 (Keeping of Animals), Sections 705.03 and 705.06 |
York's animal ordinance enumerates the animals residents may keep, and poultry is expressly excluded from that permitted list (cage birds allowed, but the definition excludes poultry). Keeping any animal not on the list is unlawful, so backyard chickens are not permitted within city limits.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in York?
No — chickens are not allowed in York (Article 705 (Keeping of Animals), Sections 705.03 and 705.06).
What law covers backyard chickens in York?
Article 705 (Keeping of Animals), Sections 705.03 and 705.06. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Article 705 (Keeping of Animals), Sections 705.03 and 705.06 — read the official code
“Cage birds (the term includes parakeets, parrots, canaries, finches, lovebirds, myna birds and other birds ordinarily keep in cages in households; it excludes wild birds captured or rescued and kept in cages, as well as poultry).” 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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