8 rules for unincorporated Lake County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Florida allows recreational fires (campfires, outdoor fireplaces, contained cooking devices) burning only vegetative debris or untreated wood, and they must be attended at all times. During a Lake County drought burn ban, recreational fires are prohibited.
FDEP Open Burning Regulations (Recreational Open Burning)
Open burning of vegetative debris and untreated wood in campfire, ceremonial bonfire, outdoor fireplace, or other contained outdoor heating or cooking device, or on cold days for warming of outdoor workers is allowed. All fires must be attended.
Florida law (FS 791.08) lets you use consumer fireworks on three designated holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and July 4. Lake County cannot ban them on those days. Otherwise, only sparklers and approved novelties are legal.
FS 791.08
This chapter does not prohibit the use of fireworks solely and exclusively during a designated holiday. "Designated holiday" means New Year's Day, January 1; Independence Day, July 4; or New Year's Eve, December 31.
Lake County has no fixed defensible-space clearance width like Western states; instead it manages wildfire risk through drought burn bans and Florida Forest Service programs. Keep yard debris burning within FFS setback and pile-size rules, and clear bare soil around any burn.
Florida Forest Service – Know the Law Before Burning Outdoors
Clear an area down to bare soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading. Make sure you meet the required setbacks... Keep a water hose or shovel handy in case your fire escapes.
You may burn yard waste in an 8-foot pile without a Florida Forest Service authorization if you meet setbacks and no local ban is active. Piles over 8 feet need FFS authorization. During a Lake County drought burn ban, all debris burning is prohibited.
Florida Forest Service – Know the Law Before Burning Outdoors
You may burn yard waste without authorization as long as: You meet the required setbacks... The yard waste was generated on your property and it will fit in an 8-foot diameter pile or non-combustible container, and The fire is ignited after 9 a.m. eastern time... and is extinguished one hour before sunset.
Lake County has no numbered wildfire-hazard zoning map like California's, but real wildfire risk drives its drought burn bans (KBDI 500+). Southwest Lake sits in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern, a state overlay with extra land-use and vegetation rules.
Smoke alarm requirements come from the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code, which Lake County enforces through its Fire Prevention chapter — not a unique county rule. New and renovated homes need interconnected alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level.
Small backyard recreational fires of vegetative debris or untreated wood are allowed if attended, but a Lake County drought burn ban prohibits recreational fires and yard-debris burning. During a ban, only grills, smokers, and small cooking pits are permitted.
Propane storage is governed by the statewide Florida Fire Prevention Code (adopting NFPA 58) that Lake County enforces, not a separate county cap. Small residential barbecue and grill cylinders are allowed; larger tanks trigger code separation, siting, and permit requirements.
See every category we cover for Lake County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lake County Ordinance Hub →