Outdoor burning rules in Scranton, 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.
Scranton restricts open burning through Chapter 243 (Fire Prevention) of the Codified Ordinances, which adopts the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, supplemented by Pennsylvania DEP air-quality rules at 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14. Burning of leaves, yard waste, household garbage, treated wood, plastic, and tires is prohibited. Only compliant recreational fires (seasoned wood, contained, attended) and approved cooking fires are allowed.
Three layers of law govern outdoor burning in Scranton. (1) Scranton Codified Ordinances Chapter 243 adopts the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code as the City's Fire Prevention Code (originally enacted September 26, 1979, with subsequent updates). The BOCA / IFC open-burning framework as adopted prohibits open burning except in compliance with the recreational-fire allowance (seasoned firewood in an approved container, 25-foot setback, attended, water on hand) or under a Bureau of Fire permit. The Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer (Daniel Frantz, 570-348-4164) have discretionary authority to stop any fire that becomes offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor, or when wind, drought, or atmospheric conditions make it hazardous. (2) Pennsylvania DEP at 25 Pa. Code Section 129.14 prohibits burning of materials that produce 'air contaminants,' which sweeps in leaves, yard waste, demolition debris, painted or treated lumber, and household trash, and is enforced concurrently with the local code. (3) PA DCNR may impose statewide Spring Fire Season (March 1 - May 25) and Fall Fire Season closures during high-risk periods when even otherwise-legal small recreational fires may be banned by emergency order. Allowed without a permit: a small compliant recreational fire of seasoned natural firewood and cooking on a residential grill. Prohibited without a permit and a DEP exemption: burn barrels, leaf piles, brush piles, construction debris, painted or treated lumber, tires, plastics, household garbage, and any commercial waste.
Violations of Chapter 243 and the adopted BOCA/IFC code are enforced by the Scranton Bureau of Fire and LIPS. Typical fines are $100 to $1,000 per offense plus suppression cost recovery if the Fire Department is dispatched. PADEP can separately assess civil penalties up to $25,000 per day per violation under the Air Pollution Control Act (35 P.S. Section 4009). Recklessly causing a fire that damages property is also a criminal offense (arson, 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3301), and DCNR can impose additional penalties during a declared Fire Season closure.
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