Philadelphia, PA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Philadelphia, 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
- Code Section
- Phila. Air Management Code Sec. 3-202; Fire Code Sec. 307; 25 Pa. Code Sec. 129.14
- Allowed
- Outdoor home cooking (barbecue) only
- Waste burning
- Prohibited - no burning of any waste material
- Other fires
- Require written fire code official approval
Summary
Open burning is broadly prohibited in Philadelphia. The Air Management Code (Section 3-202) bans open fires except for outdoor home cooking (barbecue cooking), and the Fire Code (Section 307) prohibits open burning unless specifically approved by the fire code official. Pennsylvania air-quality regulation 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14 independently restricts open burning statewide.
The Fire Code, in Section 307, prohibits open burning, except by approval. Section 302 of the code defines open burning as the burning of materials outdoors where products of combustion are emitted directly into the air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber contained within an appliance. The Air Management Code, in Section 3-202, prohibits open fires, except for outdoor home cooking (barbecue cooking). Section 3-102 defines open fires as fires producing products of combustion that are emitted directly into the atmosphere without passing through a stack or chimney. Section 3-202 prohibits the burning of any waste material.
Full Breakdown
' Section 3-102 defines 'open fires' as fires producing products of combustion emitted directly into the atmosphere without passing through a stack or chimney. Separately, 'The Fire Code, in Section 307, prohibits open burning, except by approval' - written approval from the fire code official is required before kindling fires for silvicultural, range, wildlife-management, or disease/pest-control purposes, or a bonfire. Statewide, 25 Pa. '
Violations & Fines
Where open burning creates or adds to a hazardous situation, or a required Fire Code permit was not obtained, the fire code official is authorized to order the operation extinguished (Fire Code Section 307.3), and violations are citable under Philadelphia Code Title 4. Burning waste material violates Air Management Code Section 3-202 and may be enforced by the Air Management Services division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or yard waste in Philadelphia?
Is any outdoor fire allowed without a permit?
Does state law also restrict burning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
How Philadelphia compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania fire regulations overview
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