Fire Regulations in Tonawanda, NY (2026)
3 verified fire regulations for Tonawanda, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Chapter 85 of the Town of Tonawanda Code bans open, unconfined fires, but § 85-5 carves out one exception: a fire in a device or equipment intended to be and actually used solely for preparing food is exempt. Any other backyard fire, including a recreational fire pit not used for cooking, still needs a Town Board permit under § 85-7 or it violates the ban.
Cooking-Fire Exception to Tonawanda's Burn Ban
Significant RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 85-4, 85-5
OPEN, UNCONFINED FIRE Any fire that is not contained or controlled within an approved fuel- or refuse-burning plant, equipment or device. ... § 85-5. Exception to provisions. This chapter shall not apply to a fire contained in a device or equipment which is intended to be and is being used solely for the preparation of food.
Outdoor Burning
The Town of Tonawanda bans open, unconfined fires on any street, public ground or private land outside the Village of Kenmore under Town Code Chapter 85. The Code Enforcement Officer inspects for fire hazards, and anyone who kindles, maintains or furnishes material for an illegal fire faces a fine up to $250 or up to 15 days in jail. The Town Board can issue a special burning permit.
Open Burning Ban in the Town of Tonawanda
Significant RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 85-3, 85-8
§ 85-3. Open burning prohibited; exception. No person shall kindle, maintain or authorize to be kindled, maintained or ignited any open, unconfined fire on or in any street or place or public grounds or private lands, nor shall any person assist in the kindling or maintaining of, or knowingly furnish the materials for, any such open, unconfined fire, outside the corporate limits of the Village ...
Smoke Detectors
In the Town of Tonawanda, Chapter 174 of the Town Code requires the owner of every two-family dwelling, multiple dwelling and mixed occupancy unit to install and maintain smoke detectors, with at least one placed near every sleeping space and one in every stairway and public hallway. Detectors must meet National Fire Protection Association Standard 74 as adopted November 18, 1980, and tenants must not tamper with them.
Tonawanda Smoke Detector Law for Rentals
Some RestrictionsTown of Tonawanda Code §§ 174-4, 174-5A(1), 174-8A
§ 174-4. Responsibility for installation. It shall be the responsibility of the owner(s) of every two-family dwelling, multiple dwelling and mixed occupancy unit situated in the Town of Tonawanda to install and maintain smoke detectors in compliance with this chapter. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any occupant, tenant or person to tamper with or in any way render the smoke detecto...
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