Fire Regulations in Mount Vernon, NY (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Mount Vernon, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Small contained recreational fires using clean dry wood or charcoal are generally allowed if under 3 ft high and 4 ft diameter, attended at all times, and kept well away from structures. Mount Vernon's tight lot spacing makes safe fire pit use difficult.
fire/fire-pit-rules
Some Restrictions6 NYCRR Part 215 (Open Burning) — Campfire safety
Campfire Safety Campfires with family and friends are great fun! To make your next campfire safer and healthier, remember to: Check the fire danger map first to make sure it's safe to have a fire where you are. Avoid burning on windy days. Keep your campfire less than 3 feet high and less than 4 feet wide. Keep flammable objects and debris at least 3 feet away from the fire. Never burn trash , ...
Brush Clearance
Mount Vernon is a fully built-out urban city with no wildland-urban interface, so there is no defensible-space brush clearance requirement. Property maintenance code still requires owners to keep vegetation cut and remove dead trees that pose a hazard.
fire/brush-clearance
Some Restrictions6 NYCRR Part 215 (Open Burning) — Brush burning restrictions
For most of the year, downed tree limbs and branches (also called brush) that are less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length, including branches with attached leaves, are allowed to be burned on-site in towns with total population less than 20,000 residents. The burning of brush is prohibited from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Open fires to control the...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of brush, leaves, or trash is prohibited in Mount Vernon. The city's extreme density (4 sq mi, 73,000 residents) means no open burning is practical. NY DEC Part 215 also bans residential brush burning March 16 to May 14 statewide.
fire/outdoor-burning
Heavy Restrictions6 NYCRR Part 215 (Open Burning)
Open burning is regulated under Part 215 . Part 215 describes the types of fires that are allowed and the materials that may be burned in an open fire. Towns, villages, cities, and counties can pass ordinances that are stricter than Part 215. You should check with local authorities before having an open fire to find out if local law requires a permit or prohibits open fires. What Can I Burn? Th...
Smoke Detectors
Every Mount Vernon short-term rental must have a functioning smoke detector inside each sleeping room plus one on the ceiling or wall just outside each sleeping room, approved by the Building Inspector, under Section 267-98J of the Zoning Code's short-term rental standards.
Mount Vernon Short-Term Rental Smoke Detectors
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 267-98J
There shall be one functioning smoke detector in each sleeping room and one functioning smoke detector on the ceiling or wall in the immediate vicinity outside each separate sleeping room, as approved by the Building Inspector.
Propane Storage
Mount Vernon's Liquefied Petroleum Gases chapter fixes minimum setback distances for every propane container based on its water capacity, keyed to the nearest building and the adjoining lot line. Bigger tanks need more clearance, and containers must also be spaced apart from each other.
Propane Tank Distance Rules in Mount Vernon, NY
Some RestrictionsCity of Mount Vernon Code § 162-5
§ 162-5. Location of containers and regulating equipment. A. Each individual container shall be located with respect to the nearest building or group of buildings or lot line of adjoining property which may be built upon in accordance with Table 1: Table 1 Minimum Distances Water Capacity per Container (gallons) Underground Containers (feet) Aboveground Containers (feet) Between Aboveground Con...
Looking for Westchester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mount Vernon city rules.
Fire Regulations in Westchester County →