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Pennsylvania · Petting zoos and animal encounters

Petting zoos and animal encounters in Pennsylvania: agritourism liability protection

Scope: agritourism liability protection under the cited source. This is not a complete guide to opening or operating this activity. Local requirements have not been researched.

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What the cited source says

The definition refers to husbandry and rural lifestyle but does not specifically name petting zoos or animal encounters.

Human content review

There is no attorney or subject-matter expert review recorded for this guide. The person responsible for this guide, its completed human content-review date, and its next review due date are not recorded.

Source retrieval dates identify the saved copies; they are not human content-review dates or publication approval. Check the current official text and the guide’s scope before relying on it. How to assess a guide.

Official sources

Act of June 30, 2021, P.L. 167, No. 27 — Agritourism Activity Protection Act

Act of June 30, 2021, P.L. 167, No. 27

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Retrieved July 27, 2026

Pennsylvania official source · Local rules not included

Important conditions

  • Fact-specific coverage, animal-health and exhibition rules, handwashing, dangerous conditions, licensing, and local requirements.

Relevant provisions

DefinitionAn agritourism activity is a farm-related tourism or entertainment activity on agricultural land that lets the public tour, explore, observe, learn about, participate in, or be entertained by agricultural production, harvesting, husbandry, or rural lifestyle. Act 27 § 2
Two conditionsThe limited-liability provision requires both a warning sign posted under section 4 and a written agreement under section 5 for the activity from which injury or damages occurred. § 3(a)
ExceptionsThe Act lists gross negligence, purposeful injury, criminal conduct, and reckless failure to warn or guard against a dangerous condition. § 3(b)
Express exclusionsThe Act says its immunity does not apply to injury or damages arising from overnight accommodation, a wedding, a concert, or food and beverage services. § 3(c)
Sign and agreementThe warning sign must be at least three feet by two feet. The agreement has timing, signer, document, type-size, and exact-language criteria; it addresses a parent or guardian signing for a minor or care-dependent person. §§ 4-5

What this source does not answer

  • The Act does not decide whether a particular activity or parcel meets its definitions.
  • The express exclusions are exclusions from this Act's immunity, not a prohibition on offering those services.
  • Local ordinances, other statutes, judicial decisions, and agreement enforceability were not reviewed.

Build a research checklist for this activity

What to check next

  • Animal-health and exhibition rules
  • Handwashing and sanitation
  • Insurance and warning requirements
  • Local permits

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