Fire Regulations in Berks County, PA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational fires are allowed under PA DEP rules (25 Pa Code §129.14 exempts fires 'solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes'), but your Berks municipality sets pit size and setbacks. Exeter Township, for example, requires approved-container fires at least 15 feet from any structure.
Fire Pit and Recreational Fire Rules in Berks County
Some Restrictions25 Pa Code §129.14(c)(6)-(7)
The following are excepted from subsections (a) and (b): ... (6) A fire set solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes. (7) A fire set solely for cooking food.
Fireworks
Under PA Act 43 of 2017, residents 18+ may buy and set off consumer fireworks, but never within 150 feet of an occupied structure, on others' property without permission, or while impaired. Reading and your township may add time limits.
Fireworks Rules in Berks County, PA
Some Restrictions72 P.S. §9404 (Act 43 of 2017)
Consumer fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, cannot be ignited on public or private property without express permission of the property owner, and cannot be used while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of leaves, brush, garbage and debris is regulated by PA DEP (25 Pa Code §129.14) and your municipality. Berks County Commissioners can and do impose countywide burn bans during dry spells, prohibiting nearly all outdoor burning except grilling and licensed campground fires.
Open Burning Rules in Berks County, PA
Some RestrictionsBerks County Board of Commissioners Burn Ban Resolution
The ban disallows the burning of garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris out-of-doors, either in a burn barrel or on the ground. The county-issued burn ban includes exceptions for normal Agricultural Operations and Agricultural-related Business Operations.
Fire Regulations by City in Berks County
1 cities in Berks County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Berks County ordinances
See every category we cover for Berks County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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