Scranton, PA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Scranton, Pennsylvania sits in Lackawanna County in the Lackawanna River valley at the western edge of the Pocono region. Northeastern Pennsylvania (including the Tobyhanna State Forest area south and east of the city, administered by PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry) has moderate spring and fall fire-season wildfire risk, but the city's own dense built-out core has limited undeveloped fuel load and Scranton does not impose California-style defensible-space zones. Vegetation that could feed a fire is regulated through two overlapping mechanisms. First, Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) of the Scranton Code adopts the International Property Maintenance Code and applies the 8-inch weed/grass height standard: all premises and exterior property must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches, and all noxious weeds are prohibited. 'Weeds' include all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation other than cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs. Chapter 360 is enforced by the City of Scranton's Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIPS). Second, the Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry administers the statewide Spring Fire Season (typically March 1 - May 25) and Fall Fire Season (typically October 1 - December 1) restrictions, when atmospheric and fuel conditions raise wildfire risk and DCNR may impose emergency open-burning closures across the Pocono region under 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14. Property owners along the Lackawanna State Park/Forest interface should keep yard debris piles away from house walls during these seasons.