Lower Merion, PA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 78-13.A of the Lower Merion Township Code flatly prohibits causing, allowing, permitting or maintaining the open burning of rubbish, refuse, leaves, tree branches or yard trimmings on a street or on private property anywhere in the Township, whether tied to a building operation, an open dump, or otherwise. The Chief Fire Officer and the Fire Marshal's office, under Chapter 78 of the Code (the Township's adopted International Fire Code and Life Safety Code), enforce the prohibition. Burning in an incinerator or similar device manufactured to encase a fire is allowed under Section 78-13.D, as is any device intended solely for cooking food.

The Chief Fire Officer may also grant a variance under Section 78-13.C to prevent or abate a fire hazard, to train firefighters, to control disease and pests, or for religious or ceremonial activities. Residents with yard debris still need an approved disposal route rather than a backyard burn pile, since leaf waste and tree branches are named specifically in the prohibition. Homeowners associations and landlords cannot authorize open burning either, since the ban runs against any person who causes, allows, permits or maintains the fire.