Outdoor Burning: North Port vs Venice
How do outdoor burning rules compare between North Port, FL and Venice, FL?
North Port and Venice have similar restriction levels.
North Port, FL
Sarasota County
North Port prohibits open burning of piles, yard waste, or trash. Sec. 26-28 of the Code authorizes the Fire Chief to declare an Outdoor Burning Ban during extraordinary fire hazard conditions, which has been invoked repeatedly during drought (most recently in April 2026 and earlier years). Yard waste must go in the City green-lid yard waste tote.
View full North Port rules →Venice, FL
Sarasota County
Venice Code Ch. 38 prohibits all open burning that has not been specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service. Bonfires, campfires and burning of yard debris are not allowed inside city limits absent an FFS permit.
View full Venice rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | North Port | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| Burn Ban Authority | Sec. 26-28 (Fire Chief) | - |
| Cost Recovery | Sec. 26-32 | - |
| Yard Waste Disposal | Green-lid City tote, not burning | - |
| Land-Clearing Auths | Florida Forest Service | - |
| Penalty | Up to $500/day plus cost recovery | $500/day + FFS fine + arson exposure |
| Authority | - | Venice Code Ch. 38 + Sarasota Co. Code 58-2 |
| Default Rule | - | All open burning prohibited absent FFS permit |
| Burn-Ban Trigger | - | KBDI >= 500 |
| Allowed | - | Permitted BBQ + compliant fire pits |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
North Port FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in North Port?
No. The City does not permit open burning of yard waste; place it in your green-lid yard waste tote for City pickup. Land-clearing fires require state Florida Forest Service authorization.
Is there currently a burn ban in North Port?
Burn bans are issued by the Fire Chief under Sec. 26-28 during extraordinary fire hazard (drought). Check northportfl.gov News before lighting any outdoor fire.
Venice FAQ
Can I burn yard debris in Venice?
No. Open burning of yard debris is prohibited inside city limits without a Florida Forest Service permit, and is universally banned when the Sarasota County burn ban is in effect.
What triggers a burn ban in Sarasota County?
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) reaching 500 automatically triggers a countywide ban under Sarasota County Code Sec. 58-2.
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