Fire Regulations in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
True backyard ground fires (recreational fires and bonfires) are not freely allowed in Philadelphia. The Air Management Code Section 3-202 prohibits open fires except outdoor cooking, and under Fire Code Section 307 a recreational fire or bonfire requires fire code official approval and must observe setbacks - 25 feet from a structure for a recreational fire and 50 feet for a bonfire. Most residents instead use a permitted manufactured patio fireplace under L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1.
Recreational fires need approval; 25 ft setback
Heavy RestrictionsPhiladelphia Fire Code Sec. 307.1, 307.4, 307.5
A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5. ... Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. ... Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended unti...
Fireworks
Pennsylvania's Act 43 of 2017 (the Fireworks Law) legalized consumer fireworks statewide and largely preempts local bans, but it imposes strict use limits that apply in Philadelphia: consumer fireworks may not be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, from or toward a building or vehicle, on property without the owner's permission, or while under the influence. Philadelphia's Fire Code and a 2020 City Council ordinance add a citywide ban on use after 9 p.m. except on federal holidays.
Consumer fireworks limited by PA Act 43
Some RestrictionsPennsylvania State Police Fireworks FAQ (PA Act 43 of 2017; 72 P.S. Sec. 9401 et seq.)
Consumer fireworks: Cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle. Cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug. Cannot be discharged from or directed at a building or vehicle. Cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without express permission. Anyone over the age of 18 years can purchase, p...
Brush Clearance
No Philadelphia-specific ordinance directly imposes wildland-style defensible-space or brush-clearance requirements; the dense urban setting means there is no fire-hazard-severity-zone clearance mandate like California's. Vegetation and weed control on private lots is instead handled through the City's property-maintenance and weeds/vacant-lot rules, and statewide open-burning of cleared brush is restricted by 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14.
No wildland brush-clearance mandate; lot cleanup applies
Few Restrictions25 Pa. Code Sec. 129.14(b) (Open burning operations)
(b) A person may not permit the open burning of material unless the burning is conducted in a manner that the emissions are not visible, at any time, at the point such emissions pass outside the property... and the emissions are not malodorous, do not interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of life or property, do not cause damage to vegetation or property, and are not or may not be deleterious...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is broadly prohibited in Philadelphia. The Air Management Code (Section 3-202) bans open fires except for outdoor home cooking (barbecue cooking), and the Fire Code (Section 307) prohibits open burning unless specifically approved by the fire code official. Pennsylvania air-quality regulation 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14 independently restricts open burning statewide.
Open burning banned except outdoor cooking
Heavy RestrictionsPhiladelphia Air Management Code Sec. 3-202 and Fire Code Sec. 307, as stated in L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1
The Fire Code, in Section 307, prohibits open burning, except by approval. Section 302 of the code defines open burning as the burning of materials outdoors where products of combustion are emitted directly into the air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber contained within an appliance. The Air Management Code, in Section 3-202, prohibits open fires, except for ou...
Smoke Detectors
Every Philadelphia dwelling must have smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every story, powered by house wiring with battery backup or sealed 10-year batteries in pre-1988 homes.
Philadelphia Smoke Alarms Required in Every Bedroom
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Property Maintenance Code § PM-704.2
Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and in dwellings not regulated in Group R occupancies, regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations: 1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms. 2. In each room used for sleeping purposes. 3. In each story within a dwelli...
Propane Storage
Propane-fueled outdoor fireplaces are allowed in Philadelphia only under L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1 - propane units must burn only propane, stay at least 15 feet from a structure, and be constantly attended. The Fire Code also restricts where charcoal and LP-gas (propane) cooking devices may be operated relative to combustible construction and building openings.
Propane patio fireplaces and grill rules
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia L&I Code Bulletin No. F-0602 R1 (Outdoor Portable Fireplaces), Direction Item 2
Portable outdoor fireplaces designed to burn combustible materials shall use an appropriate type of fuel such as non-pressure-treated wood, charcoal or fireplace logs. Propane units shall use only propane. No waste material or any material that is likely to cause excessive smoke or noxious odors shall be used. The amount of fuel in use shall not exceed the safe capacity of the device.