Fire Regulations in New York, NY (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
New York City lets homeowners keep a wood-burning fire pit only in a backyard at a detached one- or two-family house sited in a low-density R1, R2 or R3 zoning district. Fire Code § FC 307.7 requires the fire be constantly watched, kept 10 feet from anything combustible, and lets FDNY ban pits citywide during high winds or red-flag fire-weather days.
NYC Backyard Fire Pit Rules Under FC 307.7
Some RestrictionsNew York City Fire Code § FC 307.7
Residential fire pits may be stored and used to maintain an open fire in compliance with the requirements of this section and the rules on the premises of a detached Group R-3 occupancy in any R1, R2, or R3 residential zoning district. Residential fire pits must be operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for such residential fire pit, and shall be constantly attended while a fire ...
Fireworks
Consumer fireworks are illegal throughout New York City. New York Penal Law Section 270.00 makes possessing, using or exploding any fireworks a violation and selling them a misdemeanor. While a 2014 state amendment lets counties opt in to legalize ground-based 'sparkling devices,' that option is expressly unavailable in any city with a population over one million - which means it is barred in New York City. Only FDNY-permitted professional displays are allowed.
All consumer fireworks illegal in NYC
Heavy RestrictionsNY Penal Law Section 270.00 (Unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks)
Except as herein otherwise provided, or except where a permit is obtained pursuant to section 405.00, any person who shall possess, use, explode or cause to explode any fireworks or dangerous fireworks is guilty of a violation; provided, however, that any person who shall offer or expose for sale, sell or furnish, any fireworks or dangerous fireworks is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. ... [Spa...
Brush Clearance
No New York City-specific ordinance imposes wildland-style defensible-space or brush-clearance requirements; the dense urban setting has no mapped fire-hazard severity zones like California's. Overgrown vegetation and debris on private lots are handled through property-maintenance enforcement, and any cleared brush must be hauled away rather than burned, because state rule 6 NYCRR Part 215 and NYC Administrative Code Section 24-149 prohibit open burning of yard waste.
No wildland brush-clearance mandate; no open burning
Few RestrictionsNYSDEC, Open Burning guidance (implementing 6 NYCRR Part 215)
Prohibited open burning includes: Burning refuse, trash, tires, and other solid wastes. This includes burning trash or other solid wastes in a burn barrel or similar device. Burning loose leaves or leaf piles. ... Burning trash is illegal statewide in all cases.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is broadly prohibited in New York City under both state and city law. New York State regulation 6 NYCRR 215.2 bans burning any material in an open fire except for a short list of exceptions, and the NYSDEC confirms that 'Burning trash is illegal statewide in all cases.' New York City Administrative Code Section 24-149 independently prohibits open fires that emit air contaminants, allowing only narrow exceptions such as small charcoal/gas barbecue grills.
Open burning banned; trash burning illegal
Heavy Restrictions6 NYCRR Section 215.2 (Prohibitions) and Section 215.1 (Definitions)
Except as allowed by section 215.3 of this Part, no person shall burn, cause, suffer, allow or permit the burning of any materials in an open fire. ... Open fire means any outdoor fire or outdoor smoke producing process from which air contaminants are emitted directly into the outdoor atmosphere. Open fires include burning in barrels or modified barrels.
Wildfire Zones
New York City does not map wildfire hazard zones or impose defensible-space rules. Its only wildfire-specific law, Administrative Code § 18-166, requires the parks department to publish a citywide wildfire mitigation planning report and file an annual report listing every wildfire that burned in a city park.
NYC Has No Wildfire Zones, Only a Parks Report
Light RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 18-166
Park. The term "park" means a park under the jurisdiction of the department. Wildfire. The term "wildfire" means an unplanned fire in a natural area. The department...shall develop a wildfire mitigation strategic planning report on mitigating the proliferation of wildfires occurring in parks. No later than March 1, 2026, the department shall submit such wildfire mitigation strategic planning re...
Smoke Detectors
New York City law requires owners of class A and B multiple dwellings and private rental units to install an approved, operational smoke detecting device in every dwelling unit, per NYC Building Code standards under Administrative Code § 27-2045.
NYC Smoke Detector Installation Rule
Some RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code § 27-2045
The owner of a class A multiple dwelling, class B multiple dwelling or private dwelling shall: 1. (a) Provide and install one or more approved and operational smoke detecting devices in each dwelling unit in accordance with section 907.2 of the New York city building code or sections 27-978, 27-979, 27-980 and 27-981 of the 1968 building code, as applicable...
Propane Storage
New York City limits LPG (propane) storage in one- to three-family and multiple-dwelling occupancies to four containers per dwelling unit, each capped at 16.4 ounces. Cellar, basement or below-grade storage of any LPG container is flatly prohibited citywide under the Fire Code.
NYC Caps Home Propane Storage at 4 Tanks
Significant RestrictionsNew York City Fire Code § FC 6103.2.1.8
6103.2.1.8 Residential storage. LPG container storage in Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies shall not exceed four containers per dwelling unit, each container having a capacity not exceeding 16.4 ounces (0.465 kg) of LPG. Storage of such LPG containers in a basement, cellar or other area below grade is prohibited.