New What Kind of Chicken Keeper Are You? Take the 1-Minute Quiz

YouTubeInstagramTikTokFacebookPinterestX

Scranton, PA Chicken Laws: Hens, Roosters, Permits and Coop Rules

Coop Ready Pennsylvania Scranton

Allowed with a permit

Yes, up to 2 hens with a $25 zoning permit, but the coop must be 50 ft from every neighbor's house, which rules out many small city lots.

Coops need a roof and at least three enclosed sides, with 8 sq ft per bird. Odor and noise standards apply, and dead animals must be removed within 48 hours. The health code also lets the city order fowl removed if kept within 15 ft of a home after a complaint.

Hen limit

2 on lots up to 20,000 sq ft, plus 1 per extra 1,000 sq ft (chickens, ducks and rabbits combined)

Roosters

Banned

Permit

Yes: a zoning permit, $25

Coop placement

Coop at least 50 ft from any home other than yours; not in a front yard or a street-facing side yard

Checked against city code We read the official code section linked below for every fact on this page.

Read the official Scranton rules ↗ Checked October 2026.

Will your coop fit in Scranton?

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 Scranton rules above. Free, no account.

Backyard chicken questions in Scranton

How many chickens can I have in Scranton?

The hen limit in Scranton: 2 on lots up to 20,000 sq ft, plus 1 per extra 1,000 sq ft (chickens, ducks and rabbits combined).

Are roosters allowed in Scranton?

No. Scranton's zoning code bans roosters.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Scranton?

Yes. Scranton requires a zoning permit with a $25 application fee to keep hens.

How far does a chicken coop have to be from my neighbor in Scranton?

Where the coop can go in Scranton: coop at least 50 ft from any home other than yours; not in a front yard or a street-facing side yard.

Can my HOA ban chickens if Scranton allows them?

Yes. HOA rules, deed restrictions and leases can be stricter than city code. Read yours before you build.

More Pennsylvania cities

More from Coop Ready

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 Scranton before you build.