Monroe County, PA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Monroe County, PA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Authority
- Township + PA DEP
- State Rule
- 25 Pa. Code Ch. 129
- Burn Bans
- County/DCNR, spring
- Never Burn
- Garbage, tires, treated wood
Summary
Open burning in Monroe County runs on township ordinance plus PA DEP air rules (25 Pa. Code Ch. 129). Many townships limit yard-waste burning, and county wildfire burn bans override everything.
No person may permit the open burning of material in an area outside of air basins in a manner that:
Full Breakdown
Whether you can burn leaves or brush in Monroe County depends first on your township ordinance, then on PA DEP's Bureau of Air Quality rules at 25 Pa. Code Ch. 129. The county sits outside Pennsylvania's designated air basins, so the DEP rule bars open burning that sends visible smoke or odor across your property line. Garbage, tires, and treated wood are never legal to burn. During the spring wildfire season, DCNR and Monroe County emergency management issue burn bans that suspend open burning countywide: those override any township permission. Recreational fire pits are handled separately. Check for an active burn ban before you light anything outdoors.
Violations & Fines
Illegal burning draws township fines around $100 to $500; DEP air-quality violations can reach $1,000 a day, and burning during a county burn ban adds separate penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves and yard waste?
How do I know if there's a burn ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
How Monroe County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the Pennsylvania fire regulations overview
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