Backyard Chickens in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Can you keep chickens in Bethlehem?

Thinking about fresh eggs in the Christmas City? Bethlehem, Pennsylvania legalized backyard hens in 2023, letting residents keep up to six hens (ten if mostly bantams) with a permit — as long as roosters stay off the property and coops meet the city's setback and predator-proofing rules.

Yes – with conditions

Yes. The City of Bethlehem permits residents to keep backyard hens under Article 1159 of the Bethlehem City Code (Bill No. 16-2022), which took effect January 1, 2023. The ordinance states that the keeping of chickens in conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be permitted in the City of Bethlehem, for non-commercial personal egg production only. A permit from the Animal Control Officer / Department of Community and Economic Development is required before keeping any chickens, and use is limited to single-family and side-by-side homes in the RR, RS, RG, and RT residential zoning districts.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Allowed
How many hens: 6
Roosters: No
Permit required: Yes
Permit cost: $25
Setback from property line: 20 ft.

Peggy knows Bethlehem

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Flock size: A maximum of six (6) hens per property; if 50% or more of the flock is bantam chickens, the collective limit rises to ten (10).
No roosters: Only hens (female 'gallus domesticus') are allowed within city limits.
Location & setbacks: The coop and run must be located in the rear yard, at least 20 feet from any habitable structure on adjacent properties, at least 25 feet from any street, and no closer than 5 feet to any property line.
Size limits: Combined coop and run footprint may not exceed 120 square feet; coop height is capped at 8 feet. Coops must provide at least 1 sq ft per bird, and runs at least 4 sq ft per bird. All coops require an attached run — free-roaming is prohibited.
Predator-proofing: Coops must have a raised floor at least 18 inches off the ground or a buried hardware-cloth mesh apron (openings no larger than 1/2 inch) around the perimeter.
Feed storage: Feed kept outside must be in metal, rodent/pest-proof containers and screened from street view.
No slaughtering of chickens is permitted on-site, and no commercial breeding, egg sales, or fertilizer production is allowed.
Permits: Require a site plan, coop elevations/floor plan, and owner affidavit; permits are issued within 15 days of a complete application, last 3 years, and may be revoked for nuisance conditions (odor, noise, escape, pests).
Exemption: The ordinance does not apply to lots of 10+ acres in a district where agricultural use is permitted.
Penalties: Fines start at $100–$250 for a first violation and escalate up to $1,000+ for repeat violations, with each day of non-compliance a separate offense.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Bethlehem

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6b/7a (Humid Continental)

Bethlehem experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers typical of the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. Coops should be insulated and draft-free but ventilated for winter, with shade and fresh water access emphasized for humid summer months, both of which align with the ordinance's own requirement that chickens have shade, feed, and water at all times.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxOpossumCoyote

Urban and suburban Bethlehem flocks are most at risk from raccoons raiding coops at night, hawks hunting during the day, and foxes or coyotes that may pass through green spaces and yards along the Lehigh River corridor. The city's own coop rules requiring a raised floor or buried hardware-cloth apron are specifically designed to prevent digging predators like raccoons and foxes from breaching the run.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Orpington, Australorp

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Bethlehem

▸How many chickens can I keep in Bethlehem, PA?

Up to six (6) hens per property, or up to ten (10) if at least half the flock consists of bantam chickens.

▸Are roosters allowed in Bethlehem?

No. The ordinance specifically states that only hens are allowed within the City of Bethlehem.

▸Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bethlehem?

Yes. All backyard chicken keeping requires a permit from the Animal Control Officer or the Department of Community and Economic Development, with a default fee of $25 unless City Council sets a different fee by resolution.

▸How far must a chicken coop be from my neighbor's house?

The coop and run must be in the rear yard and at least 20 feet from any structure with habitable space on adjacent properties, at least 25 feet from any street, and at least 5 feet from any property line.

▸Can I sell eggs or breed chickens commercially in Bethlehem?

No. The ordinance permits chicken keeping only on a non-commercial basis — commercial breeding, egg sales, and fertilizer production are all prohibited.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Bethlehem or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 28, 2026.