Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has published explicit regulations regarding the burning of certain materials. A municipality may enact more stringent regulations; however, the municipality may not establish less restrictive rules for open burning.
Pennsylvania law allows open burning of “domestic refuse” as long as the fire is on the property of a structure occupied solely as a residence by two families or less and when the refuse results from the normal occupancy of the structure. “Domestic refuse” does not include such items as demolition waste, insulation, shingles, treated wood, paint, painted or stained objects or furniture, tires, mattresses, box springs, metal, insulating coating on wire, television sets and appliances, automobiles, automotive parts, batteries, PVC products, waste oil, and other petroleum products.
Complaints about the burning of construction waste, building materials, trash, waste materials, flooring, roofing materials, furniture, tires, wire & cable, painted wood, structures, vehicles or machinery should immediately be reported to Pennsylvania DEP - North East Regional Office at 570-826-2511.
GIVING NOTIFICATION TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY 911 COMMUNICATIONS CENTER OF YOUR CONTROLLED BURN (FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE) DOES NOT IMPLY THAT YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO CONDUCT THE BURN.