Bethlehem's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Fire Pit Rules

Bethlehem, PA (Lehigh and Northampton Counties, population approximately 76,000) effectively bans backyard recreational fires. Article 1501 of the Codified Ordinances adopts the 2018 International Fire Code, and Section 1501.05(r) amends IFC Section 307.4.2 to read 'Recreational fires are prohibited.' Portable outdoor fireplaces are allowed only 'where approved' by the Fire Marshal, and must be 25 feet from any structure and 15 feet from combustible material under amended IFC 307.4.3.

Key details: Code Authority: Bethlehem Article 1501 (2018 IFC). Recreational Fires: Prohibited (amended IFC 307.4.2). Portable Outdoor Fireplace Setback: 25 ft from structure / 15 ft from combustibles. Approval Required: Fire Marshal approval of portable device. Attendance: Fire watch + 1 hour after extinguishment.

Section 1501.05(l) replaces the IFC penalty schedule with the Optional Third Class City Charter Law penalties. Standard violations carry a fine of up to $1,000 for the first two continual and uncorrected violations, escalating to up to $5,000 for the third and any subsequent violation of the same subsection on the same property. Where the conduct poses a threat to public health, safety or property, fines are $500 to $1,000 for the first two offenses and $1,000 to $10,000 for the third and subsequent offenses, with citations issuable every 5 days for ongoing violations, and up to 90 days imprisonment. An unattended or out-of-control fire that damages property can also trigger criminal liability under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301 (Arson).

This is one of the stricter rules in Bethlehem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Fireworks

Consumer fireworks in Bethlehem are governed by Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (3 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 24, which repealed Act 43 of 2017) and locally by Article 746 of the Bethlehem Codified Ordinances, established by Ordinance 2018-23. State law imposes a 150-foot setback from any occupied structure. Article 746 then narrows the use hours to 9:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m., which is stricter than the state floor of 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Use is banned entirely on City-owned property.

Key details: State Authority: PA Act 74 of 2022 / 3 Pa. C.S.A. Ch. 24. Setback from Structures: 150 ft (statewide, no exceptions). Local Hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (stricter than state). Local Article: Bethlehem Article 746. City Property: Banned without Fire Marshal permit.

Article 746 Section 746.99 sets escalating penalties: first violation $50 to $100, second violation $100 to $300, third and subsequent violations $500 to $1,000 plus up to 30 days imprisonment. Act 74 violations of the setback or hours are summary offenses under 3 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2407 with fines of $100 to $500 and confiscation of the fireworks. Discharging fireworks while intoxicated, causing a fire, or using them on another person's property without consent can upgrade to misdemeanor charges under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 3301 (Arson) or 5503 (Disorderly conduct).

This is one of the stricter rules in Bethlehem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Brush Clearance

Bethlehem has no California-style defensible-space program because the Lehigh Valley is rated low overall wildfire risk. Vegetation is regulated as a property-maintenance issue through Article 1733 (the locally adopted 2018 International Property Maintenance Code) at Section 302.4 of the Codified Ordinances. Premises and exterior property must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches, with cultivated flowers, trees and shrubs exempt.

Key details: Maximum Vegetation Height: 12 inches (Sec. 302.4 as amended). Adopted IPMC: 2018 edition (Article 1733). Enforcement: Bureau of Housing Inspections, 10 E. Church St.. 1st-Offense Fine: $200 (or 30 days). Wildfire Risk: Low (USDA Forest Service).

Article 1733 Section 106.4 sets penalties at $200 for the first violation, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation, with up to 30, 60, and 90 days imprisonment respectively. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Unpaid municipal mowing charges become a lien on the property under 53 P.S. Section 7106 and bear interest until paid. Repeat violations and bills can stack rapidly and may block transfer of the property under the City's resale Certificate of Occupancy program.

Outdoor Burning

Bethlehem restricts open burning through Article 1501 (the locally adopted 2018 IFC) and statewide air-quality rules at 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14. Open burning is allowed only at least 50 feet from any structure, with a 25-foot exception only where specifically approved by the Fire Marshal. Burning of leaves, yard waste, household garbage, treated wood, plastic and tires is prohibited. Recreational wood fires are prohibited entirely under Section 1501.05(r).

Key details: Local Code: Bethlehem Article 1501 (2018 IFC) + Sec. 1501.05 amendments. State Authority: 25 Pa. Code Sec. 129.14. Open Burning Setback: 50 ft (25 ft only where approved). Refuse Burning: Prohibited (leaves, trash, demo debris). Permit Authority: Bethlehem Fire Marshal.

Section 1501.05(l) replaces the IFC penalty schedule with Optional Third Class City Charter Law penalties: typically $100 to $1,000 per offense for the first two violations, escalating to $5,000 per offense for the third and subsequent violations; where the conduct threatens public health, safety or property, $500 to $1,000 for the first two and $1,000 to $10,000 for the third plus up to 90 days in jail. PADEP can separately assess civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation under the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P.S. Section 4009). Reckless burning that damages property is also chargeable as Arson under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301.

This is one of the stricter rules in Bethlehem's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Wildfire Zones

Bethlehem, PA does not have a city-designated Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone. Pennsylvania has not adopted IFC Chapter 49 (Wildland-Urban Interface Areas) statewide, and Article 1501 of the Bethlehem Codified Ordinances does not adopt it locally. Lehigh and Northampton Counties are rated low overall wildfire risk by the USDA Forest Service, though about 60 percent of homes statewide sit within the PA DCNR-mapped wildland-urban interface boundary.

Key details: WHSZ Adopted: No (not adopted in PA or Bethlehem). IFC Ch. 49 Adopted: No (not in Article 1501). Lehigh/Northampton Risk: Low (USDA Forest Service). WUI Coverage Statewide: Approx. 60% of homes (PA DCNR). Primary State Authority: PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry.

Because there is no adopted WHSZ in Bethlehem or Pennsylvania broadly, there are no wildfire-zone-specific violations or fines. Underlying open-burning, vegetation, and IFC requirements are still enforced by the Bethlehem Fire Marshal and Bureau of Housing Inspections, and PADEP can assess civil penalties up to $25,000 per day under the Air Pollution Control Act for unauthorized burning during high-risk periods.

The rules around wildfire zones in Bethlehem lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Propane Storage

Bethlehem regulates propane (LP-gas) through Article 1501 (the locally adopted 2018 IFC) and through Article 1501 Section 1501.05(oo), which amends IFC Section 6104.2 to PROHIBIT propane storage entirely in residential zoning districts RR, RS, R-RC, RG, RT, RR-F and RR-T. Outside of those residential districts, the aggregate capacity of any one installation may not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity. NFPA 58 setbacks still apply.

Key details: Code Authority: Bethlehem Article 1501 (2018 IFC Ch. 61) + Sec. 1501.05(oo). Residential Districts Banned: RR, RS, R-RC, RG, RT, RR-F, RR-T. Non-Residential Limit: 2,000 gallons water capacity per installation. Referenced Standard: NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code (via IFC 6101.2). 125-gal Tank Setback: 10 ft from building / 10 ft property line.

Failure to obtain required permits, exceeding the 2,000-gallon non-residential limit, or any propane storage at all in the seven prohibited residential districts is enforced under Article 1501 Section 1501.05(l) (Optional Third Class City Charter Law penalties): $100 to $1,000 per offense for the first two violations, up to $5,000 for the third and subsequent, and where the storage threatens public health, safety or property, $500 to $1,000 escalating to $1,000 to $10,000, with up to 90 days imprisonment. Illegally installed tanks may be ordered removed at the owner's expense. State licensing violations carry additional Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry penalties under 35 P.S. Section 1329.3.

Compared to other cities, Bethlehem takes a harder line on propane storage. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Bethlehem is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Bethlehem, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Bethlehem's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.