Recreational Fires

Please note: As of April 2020, the Allegheny County departments of health and emergency services are asking residents to limit recreational burning to help people who are vulnerable to COVID-19. Smoke and other air pollution can worsen health problems for certain people.

South Fayette Township enforces the Open Burning Regulations set by the Allegheny County Health Department. Visit the county’s open burning website for more information. Report issues with wood smoke or other air pollution to the county’s 24-hour complaint line: 412-687-2243. Recreational burning or grill cooking that meets the county rules does not require a permit. Other non-recreational burning requires a permit. Trash burning is prohibited.

Highlights of the open burning regulations (revised for 2015) include:

• The definition of open burning includes any fire or combustion occurring in a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, chiminea or grill.
• Fires are limited to a maximum overall size of 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 2 feet high for wood burning.
• Fires must be at least 15 feet from the nearest neighbor’s dwelling or inhabited area, such as a property line, sidewalk or roadway.
• Permitted burning materials are clean wood, propane and natural gas, as well as charcoal for outdoor cooking; smokeless fire starters or paper; and commercial fire logs, paraffin logs or wood pellets for outdoor fireplaces.
• Recreational open burning is restricted on air quality action days.