Fire Regulations in Cleveland, OH (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Cleveland, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Backyard fires are restricted under Ohio EPA rule OAC 3745-19 and the Ohio Fire Code. Small contained cooking fires are allowed with setbacks, but open burning of yard waste, leaves, and trash is prohibited in Cleveland.
Cleveland Backyard and Recreational Fires
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Admin. Code 3745-19-03 - Restrictions on open burning
No person or property owner shall cause or allow open burning in a restricted area except as provided in paragraphs (B) to (D) of this rule or in section 3704.11 of the Revised Code. (B) Open burning shall be allowed for the following purposes without notification to or permission from the Ohio EPA: (1) Heating tar, welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares, heating for warmth of outdoo...
Fireworks
Cleveland bans selling, possessing, or setting off consumer fireworks like firecrackers, roman candles, and fire balloons anywhere in the city unless the Fire Chief has issued a permit. Violators face a first-degree misdemeanor, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense.
Cleveland Fireworks Ban & Permit Rules
Heavy RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 387.03(e)-(f)
(e) A person shall not ship, receive, store, possess, sell, use, or discharge any explosives, pyrotechnics, fireworks, lasers, or flame effects within the City except as permitted under Sections 387.06, 387.09, and 387.10 of this chapter... (f) A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or have in his or her possession or custody, any squib, rocket, cracker, roman candle, or fire balloon, or any ...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning in Cleveland requires a permit from the Commissioner per §277.09. Cleveland Division of Air Quality limits burn size to 5x5x5 feet. Recreational cooking fires and fire pits under Ohio EPA limits (3 ft diameter, 2 ft high) may be exempt.
Cleveland Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Administrative Code Rule 3745-19-03
(A) No person or property owner shall cause or allow open burning in a restricted area except as provided in paragraphs (B) to (D) of this rule or in section 3704.11 of the Revised Code. (B) Open burning shall be allowed for the following purposes without notification to or permission from the Ohio EPA: (1) Heating tar, welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares, heating for warmth of ou...
Smoke Detectors
Cleveland requires every new and existing building to have smoke alarms and smoke detectors installed per the state fire code, with battery-operated units replaced only with sealed, tamper-proof, ten-year-battery models. Violations start as a minor misdemeanor and escalate with repeat offenses.
Cleveland Smoke Detector Installation Rules
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 392.02 (Ord. No. 1528-15, passed 5-9-16)
The Ohio Fire Code at OAC 1301:7-7-09 "Fire Protection Systems" effective, November 10, 2011, and as amended, is adopted and incorporated by the City of Cleveland as if fully set out in this section. Owners of each new and existing building or structure shall install smoke alarms and smoke detectors as required by OAC 1301:7-7-09. Any battery-operated smoke detector or smoke alarm that is repla...
Propane Storage
Cleveland requires a Fire Chief permit before anyone stores, handles, or uses liquefied petroleum gas, including propane, anywhere in the city. Businesses that store, sell, transport, or install LP-gas cylinders also need a separate certificate of qualification, and the Board of Building Standards and Building Appeals sets the technical storage and design rules.
Cleveland LP-Gas (Propane) Storage Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances §§ 385.18(c)-(d), 385.19
(c) A permit from the Fire Chief shall be required for all storing, handling or use of liquefied petroleum gas. (d) No person, firm or corporation shall store or handle liquefied petroleum gas for sale or transport, or connect or install liquefied petroleum gas cylinders as a business, without a certificate of qualification from the Chief... Every such certificate may be revoked by the Chief wh...
Looking for Cuyahoga County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cleveland city rules.
Fire Regulations in Cuyahoga County →