Small backyard recreational fires are allowed as an exception to PA DEP open-burning limits, but must stay 25 feet from structures under the PA Fire Code and be constantly attended. Delaware County sets no rule; municipalities enforce and may declare burn bans.
A recreational fire (for warmth, cooking, or enjoyment, generally under three feet across) is excepted from the 25 Pa. Code §129.14 open-burning prohibition. Under the PA Fire Code (IFC §307.4.2), it must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, and under §307.5 must be constantly attended until fully extinguished, with an extinguisher or water source at hand. Only clean, dry wood may be burned - never trash, leaves, or treated wood. Delaware County has no countywide backyard-fire rule; townships and boroughs such as Upper Darby adopt these fire-code provisions and can impose burn bans during dry conditions.
Enforced by the local fire code official; an unattended or too-close fire can bring an order to extinguish and fines under the municipality's adopted fire code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Delaware County's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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