Brush Clearance: Penn Hills vs Pittsburgh
How do brush clearance rules compare between Penn Hills, PA and Pittsburgh, PA?
Pittsburgh has fewer restrictions than Penn Hills.
Penn Hills, PA
Allegheny County
Penn Hills follows Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Article XXI air quality rules, which generally prohibit open burning. Recreational fires must use only clean wood, propane, natural gas, or commercial fire logs, stay no larger than 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft, and sit at least 15 ft from any neighboring dwelling, property line, road, or sidewalk. All wood burning is banned on Air Quality Action days. Report violations to ACHD's 24-hour line at 412-687-2243.
View full Penn Hills rules →Pittsburgh, PA
Allegheny County
Pittsburgh has no wildfire-specific brush clearance rules. Property owners must keep yards free of excessive vegetation and debris under the IPMC property maintenance code.
View full Pittsburgh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Penn Hills | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Code | ACHD Article XXI | - |
| Permitted Fuels | Clean wood, propane, gas, fire logs | - |
| Max Fire Size | 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft | - |
| Min Setback from Dwellings | 15 feet | - |
| Air Action Day Burning | Prohibited | - |
| ACHD 24-hr Complaint | 412-687-2243 | - |
| Brush Clearance Mandate | - | None -- no wildfire-specific requirement |
| Property Maintenance | - | IPMC requires yards free of excessive vegetation |
| Enforcement | - | PLI property code enforcement |
| Wildfire Risk | - | Low per PA DCNR |
| Complaints | - | Pittsburgh 311 at (412) 255-2621 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Penn Hills FAQ
Can I burn leaves or brush in my Penn Hills backyard?
No. Allegheny County Health Department Article XXI air quality rules, which apply throughout Penn Hills, prohibit burning leaves, brush, yard waste, garbage, treated lumber, or any material other than clean wood, propane, natural gas, or commercial fire logs. Charcoal is allowed only for food preparation. Report a violation to ACHD's 24-hour complaint line at 412-687-2243.
How big can a Penn Hills recreational fire be and how far from my neighbor?
A recreational fire in Penn Hills cannot exceed 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 2 feet high and must sit at least 15 feet from the nearest neighboring dwelling or inhabited area, including property lines, roadways, sidewalks, and public-access areas. All wood burning is banned on Air Quality Action days announced by the Allegheny County Health Department.
Pittsburgh FAQ
Does Pittsburgh require brush clearance around homes?
There is no wildfire-specific brush clearance law. However, the property maintenance code requires yards to be free of excessive vegetation and debris that could create hazards.
What happens if my neighbor has overgrown brush in Pittsburgh?
You can report overgrown vegetation or debris hazards through Pittsburgh 311 at (412) 255-2621. PLI may issue a notice requiring the property owner to clear the violation.
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