Fire pit rules in Reading, PA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Reading, PA (Berks County, population approximately 95,000) regulates residential fire pits through Chapter 180 Part 14 of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) as the city's Fire Prevention Code with local amendments at Section 180-1407. Under IFC Section 307, recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and portable outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet from a structure.
Reading adopted the 2018 International Fire Code through Ordinance 40-2022, codified at Chapter 180 Part 14 (Sections 180-1401 through 180-1407) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Reading. The IFC controls recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces under Section 307. A 'recreational fire' is defined as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet from a structure or combustible material; and an attendant with a means of extinguishment (garden hose, water bucket, or extinguisher) must be present continuously until the fire is extinguished. Only seasoned natural wood may be burned - construction debris, treated wood, leaves, household trash, plastic and tires are prohibited because they also violate 25 Pa. Code Chapter 129 (Air Quality - Open Burning). Reading's row-house housing stock means many parcels cannot physically meet the 25-foot setback, so fire pits are effectively unusable on small urban lots. The Reading Fire Marshal (815 Washington Street, Room 1-41, 610-655-6286) may order any recreational fire extinguished that creates a hazardous or objectionable condition under IFC 307.3. Reading is a Berks County 3rd-class city governed by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405, which adopts the IFC statewide.
Violations of the adopted IFC are enforced by the Fire Marshal and Property and Codes Enforcement (1-877-727-3234). Under IFC 109 and Reading's general code penalty section, fines are typically $100 to $1,000 per offense plus the cost of fire suppression response if the Fire Department is dispatched. Each day a violation continues may be charged as a separate offense. An unattended or out-of-control fire can also trigger criminal liability under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301 (Arson and related offenses) if property damage results.
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