Coop Ready Pennsylvania Reading
Allowed with a permit
Possibly, but only with a discretionary Animal Control Board permit. Reading sets no hen number or coop distance, and approval is not guaranteed.
Reading requires an Animal Control Board permit to keep any domestic agricultural animal, granted only after an inspection for odor, noise, sanitation and secure housing. The permit can be revoked after a complaint, and the zoning code treats backyard animal shelters as accessory structures.
Hen limit
No fixed number (the permit sets it)
Roosters
Not named in the code
Permit
Yes: an Animal Control Board permit after an inspection, valid up to 3 years
Coop placement
None stated
Partly reviewed The linked source is the general city code or a summary, not the exact section. Confirm the details with the city.
Read the official Reading rules ↗ Checked October 2026.
Will your coop fit in Reading?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready measures the distances and compares them with the Reading rules above. Free, no account.
Backyard chicken questions in Reading
How many chickens can I have in Reading?
The hen limit in Reading: no fixed number (the permit sets it).
Are roosters allowed in Reading?
The rooster rule in Reading: not named in the code.
Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Reading?
Yes. Reading requires an Animal Control Board permit, granted after an inspection, before you keep hens.
How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Reading?
The rules we read set no coop distance for a small flock. General nuisance rules on noise, smell and pests still apply.
Can my HOA ban chickens if Reading allows them?
Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.
More Pennsylvania cities
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See every city on Coop Ready → · Coop size calculator · Chicken laws study · Backyard chickens 101
Coop Ready is a planning aid, not legal advice. City codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with Reading before you build.
