Outdoor Burning: Columbus vs Grove City
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Columbus, OH and Grove City, OH?
Columbus and Grove City have similar restriction levels.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Outdoor burning in Franklin County is strictly regulated by Ohio EPA under OAC 3745-19. Because Franklin County contains Columbus and is designated a restricted area, open burning of yard waste, leaves, and trash is prohibited year-round in most of the county. Only small recreational cooking fires and certain agricultural burns are permitted.
View full Columbus rules →Grove City, OH
Franklin County
Open burning of yard waste, leaves, and trash is prohibited within Grove City limits under Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19-03. Grove City is inside Franklin County urban boundaries where residential open burning is banned year-round. Only recreational fires and cooking fires are permitted exceptions.
View full Grove City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Grove City |
|---|---|---|
| Yard Waste | Prohibited countywide | Burning prohibited |
| Regulator | Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 | - |
| Exceptions | Cooking and ceremonial fires | - |
| Max Penalty | 25,000 dollars per day | - |
| Restricted Zone | All of Franklin County | - |
| Authority | - | Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 |
| Allowed | - | Recreational + cooking fires |
| EPA Fine | - | Up to 10,000 dollars/day |
| Alt Disposal | - | Curbside yard waste pickup |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my yard in Franklin County?
No. Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 prohibits open burning of yard waste within municipalities and within one mile of any city over 10,000 population. Franklin County is entirely in a restricted zone.
How do I dispose of brush and leaves?
Use your municipal yard-waste collection program. Columbus offers weekly yard-waste pickup; most suburbs have seasonal leaf collection and year-round brush chipping services.
Grove City FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my backyard in Grove City?
No. Ohio EPA prohibits residential leaf burning in incorporated areas. Use Grove City curbside yard waste collection instead.
Who enforces this in Grove City?
Grove City code enforcement at (614) 277-3100 handles complaints.
Compare other topics
See how Columbus and Grove City compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool