Backyard fires of any kind are prohibited in Richmond County. NYC Fire Code §307 bans open burning citywide; only approved cooking grills are permitted.
FDNY treats any recreational open flame — bonfires, burn barrels, campfires, brush fires — as prohibited open burning under NYC Fire Code §307.2. There are no permit pathways for private backyard fires in Staten Island. Even in rural-feeling sections like Todt Hill or Prince's Bay, NYC rules apply uniformly. Community bonfires require an FDNY Certificate of Fitness and are only issued for public events.
FDNY issues summonses starting at $875 and can order immediate extinguishment. Fires spreading to adjoining property can trigger civil liability and criminal charges.
See how Richmond County's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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