Fire Regulations in Erie, PA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Erie fire pits must sit at least 15 feet from any structure under Quality of Life ordinance QOL-31, amended July 2025 — replacing the old 25-foot IFC rule. Burn only dry, seasoned firewood in a fire ring, outdoor fireplace, or chiminea, between 5 PM and midnight.
Erie Fire Pits: 15-Foot Setback, Approved Containers Only
Some RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Erie § 1129.03, QOL-31 (Ord. No. 53-2025)
(d) Permitted distance. The location for open burning shall not be less than 15 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 15 feet of any structure. No exceptions to this distance unless authorized by the Fire Code Official. (e) Permitted times. Recreational burning shall be permitted between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight on wee...
Fireworks
Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11) preempts local fireworks bans and legalizes consumer fireworks statewide for anyone 18 or older. They may not be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure or vehicle, on public/private property without the owner's permission, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Erie has no separate ordinance further restricting consumer fireworks.
Consumer fireworks legal but 150 ft from buildings
Some RestrictionsPA Act 74 of 2022, 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 11 (per PA State Police Fireworks FAQ)
Anyone over the age of 18 years can purchase, possess and use consumer fireworks. ... Consumer fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle regardless if the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks. ... Consumer fireworks cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission of the property owner. ... Consu...
Brush Clearance
Erie has no California-style defensible-space program because Erie County is rated low overall wildfire risk. The city controls fire-fuel vegetation through Article 1129 (Quality of Life Ticketing Program) of the Codified Ordinances and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code adopted under Part Fifteen. All premises must be kept free of weeds or plant growth exceeding 10 inches in height.
Erie PA Brush, Weed and Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Burning garbage, recyclable materials, leaf waste, or grass clippings is unlawful in the City of Erie at all times under Quality of Life ordinance item QOL-31. Open burning is also prohibited whenever atmospheric conditions make fires hazardous or winds gust to or are sustained at 10 mph. Because the City of Erie lies within the state-designated Erie air basin (25 Pa. Code 121.1), stricter air-quality burning limits apply.
No burning trash, leaves or grass; QOL-31 fines
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Erie Quality of Life Ordinance item QOL-31; Erie Fire Code (IFC) Section 307.1.1
QOL-31. Illegal burning. It shall be unlawful for any person to burn recyclable materials, leaf waste or grass clippings at any time in bonfires or rubbish fires. Recreational fires, as permitted, shall not be included as a violation of this Ordinance. ... 307.1.1 Prohibited open burning. Open burning shall be prohibited when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.
Wildfire Zones
Erie, 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 Erie has not adopted it locally through Article 1503. Erie County is rated low overall wildfire risk by the USDA Forest Service, though approximately 60 percent of Pennsylvania homes statewide sit within the wildland-urban interface boundary mapped by DCNR.
Erie PA Wildfire Hazard Designations
Few RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Erie permits recreational backyard fires of seasoned firewood between 5 pm and 11 pm Monday-Thursday and 5 pm to midnight on weekends and federal holidays, kept 25 feet from any structure. Bonfires require a permit from the fire code official and must stay 50 feet from structures unless contained in a barbecue pit.
Recreational fires OK 5-11pm; bonfires need permit
Some RestrictionsErie Fire Code (International Fire Code) Section 307.2, 307.4.1, 307.4.2
307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfire. ... 307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the ...
Propane Storage
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Erie is regulated through the International Fire Code Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) adopted at Part Fifteen Article 1503 of the Codified Ordinances and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405. IFC 6101.2 references NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) for tank setbacks, and IFC 6109.13 caps residential aggregate LP-gas storage on R-3 lots at 500 pounds water capacity (about 125 gallons of propane).