7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Philadelphia County permits residential recreational fire pits with restrictions. Fires must be in approved containers, small in size, use clean dry wood only, and be attended at all times. Must be located at least 15 feet from structures and property lines per International Fire Code adopted by the City.
Philadelphia County prohibits the discharge of consumer fireworks within most of the city due to density restrictions. PA Act 43 of 2017 legalized consumer fireworks statewide but prohibits discharge within 150 feet of occupied structures, which effectively bans them in most Philadelphia neighborhoods. Local enforcement is aggressive.
Philadelphia County requires property owners to maintain lots free of accumulated combustible vegetation, weeds, and debris under the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code. Vacant lot cleaning is enforced by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. No statewide wildfire defensible space rules apply.
Philadelphia County prohibits open burning of yard waste, leaves, trash, and construction debris under the Philadelphia Air Management Code. Only small recreational fires in approved containers are allowed. PA DEP burn rules under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 129 also apply.
Philadelphia County is not designated as a wildfire hazard zone. Pennsylvania does not use California-style WUI mapping, and Philadelphia is a dense urban jurisdiction with minimal wildfire exposure and no defensible space requirements.
Philadelphia County requires working smoke alarms in all residential dwellings per the Philadelphia Fire Code. Alarms must be on every floor and within sleeping areas. Rental units require 10-year sealed battery or hardwired units under Section F-907.
Philadelphia County allows small backyard recreational fires in approved containers with restrictions. Fires must be attended, located 15 feet from structures, and use only clean wood or charcoal. Air Management Services may restrict on Air Quality Action Days.
1 cities in Philadelphia County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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