True backyard ground fires (recreational fires and bonfires) are not freely allowed in Philadelphia. The Air Management Code Section 3-202 prohibits open fires except outdoor cooking, and under Fire Code Section 307 a recreational fire or bonfire requires fire code official approval and must observe setbacks - 25 feet from a structure for a recreational fire and 50 feet for a bonfire. Most residents instead use a permitted manufactured patio fireplace under L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1.
Philadelphia's Fire Code Section 307.1 states 'A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5,' and Section 307.2 requires written approval from the fire code official before kindling a bonfire. Section 307.4 sets location limits: a recreational fire 'shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure,' a bonfire 'shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure,' and a fire in an approved container must be at least 15 feet from a structure. Section 307.5 requires that 'Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished,' with a portable fire extinguisher or other approved on-site equipment available. Because the Air Management Code Section 3-202 separately bans open fires except for outdoor home cooking, a freestanding wood ground fire in a city backyard is generally only lawful as outdoor cooking or as an approved/contained fire meeting these setbacks; otherwise residents rely on enclosed patio fireplaces governed by L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1 (15 feet from any structure, constantly attended).
Under Fire Code Section 307.3, where open burning creates or adds to a hazardous situation, or a required permit was not obtained, the fire code official may order the fire extinguished, and a Fire Code violation may be issued under Philadelphia Code Title 4. An open fire that is not outdoor cooking also violates Air Management Code Section 3-202.
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