Fire Regulations in Scranton, PA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Scranton or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Scranton has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Brush Clearance

Scranton has no California-style defensible-space program. The city controls fire-fuel vegetation primarily through Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the International Property Maintenance Code. Under Chapter 360, all premises and exterior property must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches in height, and noxious weeds are prohibited.

Key details: Maximum Vegetation Height: 8 inches. Code Chapter: Scranton Code Ch. 360. Noxious Weeds: Prohibited. Lackawanna County Risk: Moderate (Pocono region). Remedy: City may cut and lien.

Chapter 360 violations are enforced by Scranton LIPS through Notices of Violation. The owner is given a stated period (commonly 7 to 10 days) to abate. If the owner fails to cut, the city may enter and mow the property at the owner's expense and assess the cost as a municipal lien against the property under 53 P.S. Section 7106. Repeat offenses can escalate to fines under the general penalty section of the Scranton Code (typically $300 to $1,000 per offense plus costs).

Fire Pit Rules

Scranton, PA (Lackawanna County, population approximately 76,000) regulates residential fire pits through Chapter 243 (Fire Prevention) of the Scranton Code of Ordinances, which adopts the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, supplemented by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405. Recreational fires must be set back from structures, contained in approved devices, and continuously attended.

Key details: Code Authority: Scranton Code Ch. 243. Adopted Standard: BOCA Fire Prevention Code. Recreational Fire Setback: 25 ft from structures. Fuel Area Cap: 3 ft diameter / 2 ft height. Fire Prevention Office: (570) 348-4164.

Violations of Chapter 243 are enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire. Typical fines under the BOCA Fire Prevention Code as adopted run from $100 to $1,000 per offense, plus cost recovery if Fire Department apparatus is dispatched to extinguish or investigate. Each day a violation continues may be charged as a separate offense. An out-of-control fire causing damage can also trigger criminal liability under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301 (Arson and related offenses).

Outdoor Burning

Scranton restricts open burning through Chapter 243 (Fire Prevention) of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, supplemented by Pennsylvania DEP air-quality rules at 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14. Burning of leaves, yard waste, household garbage, treated wood, plastic, and tires is prohibited. Only compliant recreational fires (seasoned wood, contained, attended) and approved cooking fires are allowed.

Key details: Local Code: Scranton Code Ch. 243. State Authority: 25 Pa. Code Sec. 129.14. Refuse Burning: Prohibited (leaves, trash, debris). Permit Authority: Scranton Bureau of Fire. PADEP Max Penalty: Up to $25,000/day (35 P.S. 4009).

Violations of Chapter 243 and the adopted BOCA/IFC code are enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire and LIPS. Typical fines are $100 to $1,000 per offense plus suppression cost recovery if the Fire Department is dispatched. 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). Recklessly causing a fire that damages property is also a criminal offense (arson, 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301), and DCNR can impose additional penalties during a declared Fire Season closure.

Compared to other cities, Scranton takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildfire Zones

Scranton, PA does not have a city-designated Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone. Pennsylvania has not adopted IFC Chapter 49 (Requirements for Wildland-Urban Interface Areas) statewide, and Scranton has not adopted it locally through Chapter 243. The surrounding Pocono region and DCNR Tobyhanna State Forest area do see seasonal wildfire activity, but the city itself is a dense urban core with no WHSZ overlay.

Key details: WHSZ Adopted: No (not adopted in PA or Scranton). IFC Ch. 49 Adopted: No (not in Scranton Ch. 243). Regional Risk: Pocono Spring/Fall Fire Season. Nearby DCNR Land: Tobyhanna State Forest. Primary State Authority: PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry.

Because there is no adopted WHSZ in Scranton or Pennsylvania broadly, there are no wildfire-zone-specific violations or fines. Underlying open-burning, vegetation, and fire code requirements are still enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire and LIPS, 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. DCNR may issue separate citations during declared Fire Season emergency closures.

Scranton is more permissive than most cities when it comes to wildfire zones. That said, there are still limits.

Propane Storage

Propane (LP-gas) storage in Scranton is regulated through Chapter 243 (Fire Prevention) of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405 (which incorporates the International Fire Code). NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) governs tank setbacks, and the residential aggregate LP-gas storage cap on a single-family lot is 500 pounds water capacity (approximately 125 gallons of propane).

Key details: Code Authority: Scranton Ch. 243 / NFPA 58. Referenced Standard: NFPA 58 LP-Gas Code. Residential Aggregate Limit: 500 lb water capacity. 125-gal Tank Setback: 10 ft building / 10 ft property line. Balcony Cylinder Limit: Single 20-lb cylinder.

Failure to obtain a required operational permit, exceeding the 500-pound aggregate residential limit, or violating NFPA 58 setbacks are violations of Chapter 243 enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire and LIPS. Fines typically range from $100 to $1,000 per day per violation, and tanks installed without permits may be ordered removed at the owner's expense. State licensing violations carry additional Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry penalties under the PA UCC at 35 P.S. Section 7210.903 (up to $1,000 per day).

Fireworks

Consumer fireworks in Scranton, PA are governed by Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (codified at 3 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 24, repealing Act 43 of 2017) and locally enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire under Chapter 243. Fireworks may not be discharged within 150 feet of any occupied structure or vehicle. Use is restricted to 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., extended to 1:00 a.m. on July 2, 3, 4 and December 31.

Key details: State Authority: Act 74 of 2022 / 3 Pa. C.S.A. Ch. 24. Setback from Structures: 150 ft (no exceptions). Hours of Use: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (until 1 a.m. July 4 & Dec 31). Minimum Age: 18. Local Enforcement: Scranton Bureau of Fire.

Violation of Act 74's setback or hours is a summary offense punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 under 3 Pa. C.S.A. Section 2407, with possible confiscation of the fireworks. Scranton may also enforce through the local Chapter 243 penalty section, typically up to $1,000 per offense, plus restitution for fire suppression. Discharging fireworks while intoxicated, on public or another person's property without consent, or in a manner that causes a fire is a separate offense and may upgrade to a misdemeanor under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Sections 3301 (arson) or 5503 (disorderly conduct).

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

The Bottom Line

Scranton is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Scranton, 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 Scranton's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.