Penn Hills follows Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Article XXI air quality rules, which generally prohibit open burning. Recreational fires must use only clean wood, propane, natural gas, or commercial fire logs, stay no larger than 3 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft, and sit at least 15 ft from any neighboring dwelling, property line, road, or sidewalk. All wood burning is banned on Air Quality Action days. Report violations to ACHD's 24-hour line at 412-687-2243.
Penn Hills sits inside Allegheny County, where outdoor and recreational burning are governed by the Allegheny County Health Department's Air Pollution Control Regulations (Article XXI), which the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department applies locally. Permitted fuels for a recreational fire are limited to clean wood, propane, natural gas, or commercially available fire logs, paraffin logs, or wood pellets; charcoal is allowed only for food preparation. Burning leaves, brush, yard waste, garbage, treated lumber, or any other material is prohibited. A recreational fire must not exceed 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 2 feet high and must sit at least 15 feet from the nearest neighboring dwelling or inhabited area, including property lines, roadways, sidewalks, and public access areas. All wood burning is banned on Air Quality Action days announced by ACHD (commercial food preparation excepted). Permits for ceremonial, agricultural, diseased vegetation, or firefighting-instruction burns may be issued by ACHD or the local fire chief on case-by-case basis. PA's Air Pollution Control Act (35 P.S. Sec. 4001) provides the underlying state authority. Penn Hills also uses the International Property Maintenance Code, adopted via the PA UCC, which requires owners to keep premises free from accumulations of combustible vegetation. Confirm any local burn-permit process with the Penn Hills Volunteer Fire Department or call ACHD's 24-hour complaint line at 412-687-2243.
Open burning of leaves, brush, or refuse, exceeding the 3x3x2-foot recreational fire limit, burning within 15 feet of a neighbor's structure or property line, or burning on an Air Quality Action day violates ACHD Article XXI and is enforceable through ACHD civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day under PA Air Pollution Control Act, plus Property Maintenance Code citations for combustible vegetation accumulations.
Penn Hills, PA
Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers may be stored on residential property in side or rear yards only, per Penn Hills Zoning Ordinance performance stan...
Penn Hills, PA
Residential driveways in Penn Hills require a driveway permit and curb cut approval from the Public Works Department. Minimum widths and setbacks set in the ...
Penn Hills, PA
On-street parking in Penn Hills is governed by the Traffic Code (Chapter 202 codified ordinances). Parking is generally permitted unless signed otherwise; st...
Penn Hills, PA
Vehicles left on public streets or visible on private property for more than 48 to 72 hours in an inoperable condition may be tagged and towed under Penn Hil...
Penn Hills, PA
EV charging stations on private property follow the PA Uniform Construction Code and National Electrical Code; a Penn Hills electrical permit is required for...
Penn Hills, PA
Commercial vehicles over 1 ton or with commercial markings cannot be parked overnight in residential districts per the Penn Hills Zoning Ordinance. One servi...
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