Spring Hill, FL Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Hernando County Fire Rescue enforces backyard-fire rules in Spring Hill through the adopted Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), 8th Edition (NFPA 1, 2021, effective December 31, 2023) and Chapter 12 of the Hernando County Code (amended by Ordinance No. 2025-02, March 12, 2025). NFPA 1 distinguishes three categories: (1) Recreational fire: 3 ft or less in diameter, 2 ft or less in height, 25-foot clearance to structures and combustibles, only natural untreated wood as fuel, attended by an adult with extinguishment means. No permit required. (2) Portable outdoor fireplace (manufactured chiminea, fire bowl, etc.): operated per manufacturer instructions with 15-foot clearance from structures and combustibles; in multifamily buildings, 15 feet from the building. (3) Bonfire / open fire larger than recreational-fire dimensions, ceremonial fires, commercial land-clearing fires, or pile burning of yard debris: requires authorization from the Florida Forest Service Withlacoochee Forestry Center under FS Chapter 590 and FAC Chapter 5I-2. Prohibited fuels under FAC 5I-2.004 include household garbage, treated lumber, painted material, tires, plastics, rubber, paint and other polluting or hazardous materials. Cooking fires in a grill, barbecue, or smoker for food preparation are exempt from recreational-fire rules. All backyard fires must be extinguished if winds exceed 15 mph or if the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for west-central Florida. When Hernando County declares an emergency burn ban under Chapter 12, Article VI (authorized by Ordinance No. 2025-02 which gave the Hernando County Fire Chief authority to recommend a burn ban for fast administrative action), the ban prohibits all outdoor burning that has not been specifically permitted by the Florida Forest Service, including bonfires, campfires, and burning of vegetation debris. Only cooking on attended and monitored barbecue equipment using contained gas or charcoal grills is excepted. Fireworks and sparklers are also prohibited during burn bans. Recent burn bans include April 27, 2025 and April 14, 2026 (KBDI 509).