Outdoor Burning: Columbus vs Westerville
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Columbus, OH and Westerville, OH?
Columbus and Westerville 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 →Westerville, OH
Franklin County
Open burning is prohibited in Westerville under Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 because Westerville is within a restricted area (population over 1,000 and within 1,000 feet of an inhabited building). Only small recreational fires allowed.
View full Westerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| Yard Waste | Prohibited countywide | - |
| Regulator | Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 | - |
| Exceptions | Cooking and ceremonial fires | - |
| Max Penalty | 25,000 dollars per day | - |
| Restricted Zone | All of Franklin County | - |
| Status | - | Banned (restricted area) |
| Authority | - | Ohio EPA OAC 3745-19 |
| Leaves | - | Bag for collection |
| Recreational | - | Exempt if compliant |
| Max Fine | - | 25,000 dollars per day |
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.
Westerville FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my Westerville yard?
No. Ohio EPA prohibits open burning of leaves in Westerville. Bag leaves for curbside collection or compost them.
Who enforces this in Westerville?
Westerville code enforcement at (614) 901-6400 handles complaints.
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