Fire Regulations in Reading, PA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Reading, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Reading, PA (Berks County, population approximately 95,000) regulates residential fire pits through Chapter 180 Part 14 of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) as the city's Fire Prevention Code with local amendments at Section 180-1407. Under IFC Section 307, recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and portable outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet from a structure.
Reading PA Fire Pit and Recreational Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsFireworks
Consumer fireworks in Reading, PA are governed primarily by Pennsylvania Act 74 of 2022 (codified at 3 Pa. C.S.A. Chapter 24, which repealed and replaced the Consumer Fireworks Act / Act 43 of 2017), and locally by Chapter 225 of the Reading Codified Ordinances together with Section 180-1407 amendments to IFC Section 5601. Fireworks may not be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, and Reading City Council has elected to restrict hours of use to 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (extended to 1:00 a.m. on July 4 and December 31).
Reading PA Fireworks Rules under Act 74 of 2022
Heavy RestrictionsBrush Clearance
Reading has no California-style defensible-space program because Berks County is rated low overall wildfire risk. The city instead controls fire-fuel vegetation through Quality of Life Section 180-1203 (high grass, weeds, and plant growth) and the adopted International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) at Reading Chapter 180 Part 13. All premises must be kept free of weeds or plant growth exceeding 6 inches.
Reading PA Brush, Weed and Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Reading restricts open burning through Chapter 237 of the Codified Ordinances, the 2018 IFC adopted in Chapter 180 Part 14, and statewide 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 IFC-307-compliant recreational fires (seasoned wood, 25-foot setback, attended) and approved cooking fires are allowed.
Reading PA Outdoor Burning Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Reading, 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 Reading has not adopted it locally through Section 180-1407. Berks County is rated low overall wildfire risk by the USDA Forest Service, though about 60 percent of Pennsylvania homes sit within the wildland-urban interface boundary mapped by DCNR.
Reading PA Wildfire Hazard Designations
Few RestrictionsPropane Storage
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Reading is regulated through the 2018 International Fire Code Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), adopted by Reading Chapter 180 Part 14, and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405). Residential cylinders larger than 1 pound require permits when aggregate storage exceeds the IFC threshold; NFPA 58 (the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) is referenced through IFC 6101.2 for tank setbacks.
Reading PA Residential Propane Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Berks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Reading city rules.
Fire Regulations in Berks County →