Outdoor burning rules in Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia County prohibits open burning of yard waste, leaves, trash, and construction debris under the Philadelphia Air Management Code. Only small recreational fires in approved containers are allowed. PA DEP burn rules under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 129 also apply.
Philadelphia Code Title 3 (Air Management Code) Section 3-301 prohibits open burning except for small recreational fires, ceremonial fires with permits, and emergency fires. This is stricter than state PA DEP rules under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 129, which allow some agricultural and yard waste burning in rural areas. Philadelphia Air Management Services (AMS) enforces. Burning leaves, grass clippings, branches, or household trash is prohibited year-round. On Air Quality Action Days, even recreational fires may be restricted.
Violations under Code Section 3-602 carry fines of $75 to $1,500 depending on severity. Commercial or repeated violations can be referred for criminal prosecution as summary offenses.
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia Code Title 12 prohibits parking recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats on city streets for more than 24 hours. No overnight on-street RV par...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) enforces on-street parking under Phila Code Title 12. Residential Permit Parking program covers 35+ neighborhoods. Meter...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County does not impose routine outdoor water use restrictions. Philadelphia Water Department may issue voluntary conservation requests during dr...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County encourages native plants for landscaping under the Green City Clean Waters plan. Zoning Code Section 14-705 requires approved plant speci...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County limits grass and weeds to 10 inches on all residential and commercial properties under the Property Maintenance Code. Violations trigger ...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County allows and encourages rainwater harvesting. Philadelphia Water Department offers Rain Check program with free or discounted rain barrels ...
See how Philadelphia County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.