Bethlehem, PA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Bethlehem regulates fire-fuel vegetation primarily as a property-maintenance and quality-of-life matter rather than a wildfire-defensible-space issue. Article 1733 of the Codified Ordinances, titled International Property Maintenance Code, adopts the 2018 ICC International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) through Section 1733.01. Section 1733.02 then amends IPMC Section 302.4 (Weeds) to read: 'All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.' That 12-inch threshold is more permissive than the 6-inch standard used in Reading, Erie and many other PA jurisdictions, reflecting a less aggressive enforcement posture for landscape grass. Enforcement is by the Bethlehem Bureau of Housing Inspections at 10 East Church Street, and complaints can be filed by phone or through the City's online code-enforcement portal. The Bureau issues a Notice of Violation requiring abatement within a stated period (typically 10 to 14 days). If the owner fails to cut, the city may enter, mow, and bill the cost back to the owner as a municipal lien against the parcel under 53 P.S. Section 7106. Pennsylvania DCNR also runs statewide spring and fall fire-season advisories under 32 P.S. Section 201, during which DCNR may impose temporary burn bans. The USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities tool rates both Lehigh and Northampton Counties as overall low wildfire risk.