No city code found for permitting/prohibiting hens, can i have them?

[prophecy]

Hi,
I live in Altoona,Pa in the city.I searched for any codes stating i can or cannot have chickens,and found NOTHING either way.They are considered ''poultry'' and not livestock,per say.I know that they are legal(just hens) in state college,pa,wich is near us. You can have up to 10 hens there,but not permitted roosters in the city.I have 6 hens(pullets right now),for eggs/pets and want to know if any of you might be able to help tell me if they are safe to own here,or if i will have to rehome them.I have 6 hens,and NO rooster.with no intentions of expanding my flock.
These are strictly pets/egg layers,and will be contained by a coop/wire pen and my 6 ft privacy fence.

Anyone can help i would apreceate it.

 

[b.hromada]

Did you check your city/towns council? If you are unsure, I'd check there to put your mind at ease. Good luck, because chickens are so much fun!

They would let you know if there is an ordanance against them.

 

[prophecy]

b.hromada :

Did you check your city/towns council? If you are unsure, I'd check there to put your mind at ease. Good luck, because chickens are so much fun!

They would let you know if there is an ordanance against them.

I called and got the run about.I was switched to 4 depts,and still no answer! i gave up after awhile of department games.
I googled it and still nothing,i went through 487pages of city code,and nothing was found other than they are considered 'poultry' and not livestock,if there is no rooster.​

 

[mwdh1]

I ran into the same thing, talked to city clerk, animal control, town councel and city attorney. None of them could show me where chickens are prohibited, so I am just keeping mine and kept a record of dates and times I tried to get the appropriate answers just in case they said get rid of them. So far no problems because there is no rule against it.

 

[jasonquinnryan]

Prophecy, Hi, we are also from Altoona and we were wondering the same thing. What township are you in? We also have six pullets.

 

[HanlonChick]

I live in Logan Township and the code enforcer just came and told us we need to get rid of our chickens we only have 5 hens and he said it didn't matter. I know a lot of people in logan township that have chickens and he said they are really cracking down on this. He himself is not against them and he said there is no written rule but said if we try to fight it we will waste time and money because others have tried. I live just yards against the agricultural line and live right beside state game lands. We are trying to move to some land in Tyrone and are trying to find out the codes there first. I almost feel like if no one turns you in then it is fine to own them.

 

[jasonquinnryan]

I think there is some "Grey area" with all if this. Take a pig for example. You cannot have pigs for the same reason you can't have Chickens in the back yard, but if the pig is inside it is considered a pet and then its allowed.Chickens in Logan township are not allowed but I know people close by that have a horse. I think you are right, if no one turns you in, you may be able to "get away" with it for awhile. Any thoughts?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Look at your ZONING regulations/code. That is where chickens being allowed or not is USUALLY covered, not city code/ordinances.