7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Franklin County, Ohio.
Verified from official government sources
Franklin County recreational fire pits follow Ohio Fire Code Section 307.4: maximum 3-foot diameter, 2-foot pile height, burning only seasoned firewood, and located at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. Columbus Division of Fire enforces within city; township fire departments enforce elsewhere.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Franklin County under Ohio HB 172 (2022), but Columbus and several townships have opted out of discharge under ORC 3743.45. Where discharge is allowed, use is limited to specific state holidays between 4 PM and 11 PM, purchasers must be 18 or older.
ORC 3743.45
Section 3743.45 | Purchase, use, and local regulation of consumer-grade fireworks. (A) Any person who intends to obtain possession in this state of 1.4G fireworks purchased in this state shall obtain possession of the 1.4G fireworks only from a licensed retailer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed wholesaler and shall be subject to this section. (B) Any person authorized under this section to p...
Franklin County has no wildfire defensible-space ordinance because central Ohio is not a wildland-urban interface area. Property owners must still maintain lots to avoid nuisance conditions under Columbus City Code 713.05 and township nuisance rules, which cover accumulated brush, debris, and fire hazards.
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.
Municipal Code
(2) Bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment, whether for cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, recreational, or similar purposes, if the following conditions are met: (a) They are fueled with clean seasoned firewood, natural gas or equivalent, or any clean burning fuel with emissions that are equivalent to or lower than those created from the b...
Franklin County is not in a designated wildfire hazard zone. Central Ohio has no WUI (wildland-urban interface) maps, no Chapter 7A construction requirements, and no statewide wildfire defensible space rules. Structure fire codes apply under the Ohio Fire Code.
Smoke detectors are required in every Franklin County dwelling under the Ohio Residential Code (OAC 4101:8) and the Ohio Fire Code. Detectors must be installed in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every story including basements. Rentals must be inspected for working detectors at turnover.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Franklin County under Ohio Fire Code 307.4 with a 3-foot diameter and 25-foot setback limit. Burning yard waste or trash is banned countywide by Ohio EPA rules, so backyard fires must use only clean seasoned firewood or commercial fire logs.
Municipal Code
(2) Bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment, whether for cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, recreational, or similar purposes, if the following conditions are met: (a) They are fueled with clean seasoned firewood, natural gas or equivalent, or any clean burning fuel with emissions that are equivalent to or lower than those created from the b...
4 cities in Franklin County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Franklin County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Franklin County Ordinance Hub →