Pennsylvania has adopted the International Fire Code through the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa Code Ch. 403). IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (including charcoal grills and most propane grills) on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings (i.e., apartments and multi-family). Exceptions allow LP-gas devices with limited cylinder size on balconies where served by automatic sprinklers, and electric grills are not restricted. For single-family Erie homes, the IFC restriction does not directly apply, but local property-maintenance and fire-prevention rules still govern safe storage of LP-gas cylinders.
IFC §308.1.4 (Open-flame cooking devices) is one of the most-cited multi-family fire-prevention rules in Pennsylvania. As adopted through the PA UCC at 34 Pa Code §403.21, it prohibits charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices from being operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Exception 2 allows LP-gas (propane) cooking devices on balconies of multi-family Group R-2 buildings where the building is sprinklered throughout and the LP-gas container does not exceed 1-pound capacity. Exception 3 (in some editions) allows the use of permanently-installed cooking devices on balconies served by sprinklers. For one- and two-family dwellings (Group R-3 under the IRC), the IFC §308.1.4 restriction does not apply, so single-family Erie homeowners may use propane and charcoal grills on patios, decks, and yards subject to nuisance and noise rules. LP-gas (propane) cylinder storage is regulated by NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) as referenced by the IFC: cylinders for residential use are limited in aggregate capacity, must be stored outdoors, and must not be stored inside dwellings or in basements. The Erie Bureau of Fire enforces IFC requirements at the local level. State backstop: PA Department of Labor & Industry Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety oversees UCC enforcement under 34 Pa Code Ch. 401. The PA Department of Agriculture also licenses LP-gas dealers under 35 P.S. §1325.1 et seq. (PA Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act).
Operating an open-flame cooking device in violation of IFC §308.1.4 on a multi-family balcony is a fire code violation enforced by the Erie Bureau of Fire. Penalties under 34 Pa Code §403.65 include stop-use orders and citations. Landlords face additional liability under property-maintenance provisions of the Erie City Code. Storage of LP-gas cylinders indoors violates NFPA 58 and the IFC. The PA UCC's enforcement is summary in nature; persistent violators face civil citations in the magisterial district court.
Erie, PA
Swimming pools in Erie must comply with IRC Chapter 42 Appendix G and IBC Section 3109.4 as adopted by the PA UCC (34 Pa. Code 401-405). Barriers must be at ...
Erie, PA
Erie's Zoning Ordinance regulates fence height, location, and visibility but does not prescribe a list of allowed materials for residential fences. Specializ...
Erie, PA
Erie's Zoning Ordinance Section 204.19 allows a fence to be placed up to but not over the property line, and does not require neighbor consent. Boundary disp...
Erie, PA
The City of Erie requires a fence permit issued by the Bureau of Code Enforcement before installing or replacing a fence. Applications are submitted at Room ...
Erie, PA
Erie's Codified Ordinances Article 505 does not impose a single fixed numerical cap on household dogs and cats but uses nuisance and dangerous-animal provisi...
Erie, PA
Erie's local wildlife-feeding enforcement runs through Article 505 nuisance provisions of the Codified Ordinances and property-maintenance rules against accu...
See how Erie's bbq & propane rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.