Fire Regulations in Columbus, OH (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Columbus, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Columbus allows small recreational fires and contained cooking fires but restricts open burning of yard waste within city limits. The Columbus Division of Fire enforces the Ohio Fire Code, and Ohio EPA rules under OAC 3745-19 apply to any open burning in the urban area.
Backyard Fires in Columbus
Some RestrictionsOhio Administrative Code Rule 3745-19-03
Rule 3745-19-03 | Open burning in restricted areas. (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 torc...
Fireworks
Columbus prohibits discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits. Ohio's 2022 law (ORC §3743.45) allows local municipalities to opt out; Columbus has banned private discharge. Violations are first-degree misdemeanors.
Columbus Fireworks Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsOhio Rev. Code Section 3743.45 (Purchase, Use, and Local Regulation of Consumer-Grade Fireworks)
(B) Any person authorized under this section to possess 1.4G fireworks in this state may discharge, ignite, or explode those fireworks on private property, with authorization from the property owner, on the following days each year: (1) The first day of January; (2) Chinese new year's day; (3) The fifth day of May; (4) The last Monday in May, and the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding th...
Outdoor Burning
Columbus bans burning acceptable or unacceptable waste, including trash, yard debris, recyclables, and bulk refuse, anywhere within city limits, and violations carry a $1,000 civil fine under the Refuse Collection Code.
Columbus Outdoor Waste Burning Ban
Heavy RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 1305.02
1305.02 - Burning of Acceptable and Unacceptable Waste Prohibited. No person shall burn acceptable or unacceptable waste within the city limits.
Smoke Detectors
Columbus requires working smoke detectors outside sleeping areas and on every story of a dwelling unit, with hard-wired units mandatory in buildings built after April 26, 1978.
Columbus Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 4529.08, § 4529.12
Hard-wired smoke detectors are required in any one-, two-, or three-family residential building constructed after April 26, 1978. Smoke detectors powered solely by battery shall be permitted in any dwelling units constructed prior to April 26, 1978... No hard-wired smoke detector shall be replaced with a battery-powered smoke detector.
Propane Storage
Columbus requires an annual Fire Prevention Bureau permit for LP-gas containers over 30 gallons individually or 60 gallons combined, though single tanks up to 500 gallons are exempt for R-3 homes.
Columbus Residential Propane Storage Limits
Some RestrictionsColumbus City Codes § 2501.05.6.28
Any person that stores or uses LP-gas or the operation of cargo tankers that transport LP-gas must pay an annual fire prevention inspection fee according to the current fee schedule utilizing storage containers of over thirty (30) gallons individual water capacity, or when the combined container quantity exceeds sixty (60) gallons irrespective of individual container size or a fee according to ...
Looking for Franklin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbus city rules.
Fire Regulations in Franklin County →