Fire Regulations in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Bethlehem PA Fire Pit and Recreational Fire Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFireworks
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 C.S.A. Chapter 24, which repealed Act 43 of 2017) and locally by Article 746 of the Bethlehem Codified Ordinances, established by Ordinance 2018-23.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.
Bethlehem PA Consumer Fireworks Rules under Act 74 and Article 746
Heavy RestrictionsBrush 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.
Bethlehem PA Brush, Weed and Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsOutdoor 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).
Bethlehem PA Outdoor Burning Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire 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.
Bethlehem PA Wildfire Hazard Designations
Few RestrictionsPropane 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.
Bethlehem PA Residential Propane Storage Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bethlehem city rules.
Fire Regulations in Lehigh County →