8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Allentown requires a Fire Prevention permit and inspection before a recreational campfire. The fire must sit at least 25 feet from any structure, and the pile may be no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. Boroughs and townships set their own rules.
Allentown Campfire Permit Regulations (Codified Ord. Ch. 285)
1. Location of fire to be a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any structure. 2. Campfires must be kept to campfire-type size. Per code the maximum pile diameter shall be three (3) feet and the maximum pile height shall be two (2) feet.
Pennsylvania (Act 74 of 2022) lets adults 18+ buy and use consumer fireworks statewide, but they may NOT be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, on property without the owner's permission, or while intoxicated. Allentown and boroughs may add local limits.
3 Pa.C.S. § 1104 (Act 74 of 2022)
A person may not use consumer fireworks: (1) On private property or on public property, including... streets, parking lots, sidewalks and parks, without the express permission of the owner... (4) While the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug. (5) Within 150 feet of a building or vehicle.
Pennsylvania and Lehigh County do not impose wildfire defensible-space or brush-clearance mandates like Western states. Overgrown brush is handled locally as a weed, blight, or nuisance issue by your city or township, and property owners remain responsible for keeping lots clear.
Open burning in Allentown requires a Fire Prevention permit, and only clean, dry wood may be burned - no garbage, rubbish, rubber, plastic, leather, or petroleum materials. One permit is allowed per month per property. Boroughs and townships regulate burning separately, subject to PA DEP air rules.
Allentown Campfire/Open Burning Regulations (Codified Ord. Ch. 285)
Dry wood only should be used. No garbage, rubbish, trash, rubber, plastic, leather or petroleum-based material should be used... A maximum of one (1) burning permit is allowed per month, per property unless authorized by the Fire Chief.
Lehigh County has no designated wildfire hazard zones or WUI fire-severity maps - Pennsylvania does not classify property that way. Wildfire risk is managed through statewide burn bans issued by PA DCNR during dry, high-danger periods rather than mapped building or clearance requirements.
Smoke alarms are set by Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code, adopting the International Residential Code (Section R314), not by Lehigh County. New and substantially altered homes need interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level.
A backyard recreational fire in Allentown needs a permit and must stay at least 25 feet from any structure. No flammable liquids may be used to start it, and someone must remain until the fire is completely extinguished, with a hose or other means of extinguishment ready.
Allentown Campfire Permit Regulations (Codified Ord. Ch. 285)
Flammable liquids shall not be used to ignite fire... The person who has authorization to have the campfire or their representative should remain until the fire is totally extinguished... Provide a method for extinguishing the fire such as a water hose.
Lehigh County sets no propane storage rule. Home propane and LP-gas storage follow the PA Uniform Construction Code and the International Fire Code / NFPA 58, enforced by your municipal building and fire officials. Small barbecue cylinders are exempt, but larger tanks need proper siting and, for bigger installations, permits.
2 cities in Lehigh County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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