Open Burning

Open Burning

Open burning in Allegheny County is governed by the Allegheny County Health Department Open Burning Regulations under Article XXI, which sets strict rules on what, when, and how you can burn. 

Permitted Materials

• Clean Fuel: Only clean, dry, untreated wood, natural gas, or propane may be burned.

• Allowed Exceptions: Commercially available fire logs, paraffin logs, wood pellets, charcoal (for cooking only), and paper or commercial smokeless starters used specifically to start the fire.

• Prohibited: Garbage, leaves, painted or treated wood, and plastics are illegal to burn. 

• Maximum Size: Fires cannot be larger than 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 2 feet high.

• Setback Distance: Fires must be at least 15 feet away from the nearest neighbor's dwelling, property line, roadway, sidewalk, or public access area. Note: Some local municipalities may enforce stricter individual rules or distances. 

• Air Quality Action Days: All recreational wood burning is strictly prohibited on Air Quality Action Days (except for commercial food preparation). 

• Nuisance Rules: Even if permitted, a fire can be ordered out if it creates a hazardous condition, smoke nuisance, or severe air pollution based on local weather and topography.