The Ohio Fire Code allows attended backyard recreational fires but requires a 25-foot setback; larger bonfires need a permit and a 50-foot setback. There is no separate county backyard-fire ordinance.
Backyard fires in Hamilton County are governed by the statewide Ohio Fire Code (OAC 1301:7-7-03), enforced locally. Small wood recreational fires must stay 25 feet from structures (307.4.2). A bonfire cannot be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material unless contained in a barbecue pit (307.4.1), and a fire code official's permit is required to kindle a bonfire (307.2). All open burning, bonfires and recreational fires must be constantly attended until extinguished, with a fire extinguisher, hose, water or dirt available (307.5). Ohio EPA open-burning limits (OAC 3745-19) also apply to what may be burned.
Fire officials may order extinguishment and cite unpermitted or hazardous bonfires; penalties follow local fire-code enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Hamilton County's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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