Pittsburgh, PA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Pittsburgh, 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
- Permit fee
- $71 (Fire Code item 105.6.30)
- Second permit required
- Allegheny County Health Department
- Enforcing agency
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 90 days jail
- Code basis
- 2009 International Fire Code, locally amended
Summary
Pittsburgh requires a Fire Bureau permit for any open burning, plus a separate permit from the Allegheny County Health Department, under the city's amended International Fire Code.
Section 307.2: Add the following: Section 307.2 Permit Required: A permit shall also be obtained from the Allegheny County Health Department.
Full Breakdown
The City of Pittsburgh's Fire Code, the 2009 International Fire Code as locally amended, lists open burning as item 105.6.30 on its Fire Bureau permit-fee table, requiring a permit with a $71 fee before any open burning. A separate amendment to Section 307.2 adds a second layer: a permit must also be obtained from the Allegheny County Health Department. Burning without both permits is a Fire Code violation enforceable by the Fire Bureau, with penalties running through Pittsburgh Code § 801.02 and § 109.3.
Violations & Fines
Fire Bureau citation for burning without a permit; conviction brings a fine up to $1,000 plus costs, or up to 90 days in jail: each day counts as a separate offense (Pittsburgh Code § 109.3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to burn leaves or debris outdoors in Pittsburgh?
What's the penalty for open burning without a permit in Pittsburgh?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pittsburgh
How Pittsburgh compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Pittsburgh to another location·View the Pennsylvania fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle outdoor burning.