Cheektowaga, NY Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Cheektowaga, NY, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Town Code §§ 77-3B, 77-8
- Allowed fuel
- Natural wood only, no treated wood
- Fire code standard
- 2020 NYS Fire Code Chapter 307
- Bonfire threshold
- Over 3 ft diameter or 2 ft tall
- Bonfire permit
- Office of Fire Safety + fire district
- Fallback penalty
- Up to $500 fine/15 days jail
Summary
Cheektowaga allows recreational fires and campfires as long as only natural wood is burned, the fire follows the 2020 NYS Fire Code's Chapter 307 rules, and it doesn't become a nuisance or safety hazard. Anything larger, over three feet across or two feet tall, counts as a bonfire and needs a permit from the Office of Fire Safety and the local fire district first.
Recreational fires or campfires may be allowed, provided that only wood in its natural state is used, the fires comply with the regulations set forth in the 2020 NYS Fire Code Chapter 307, and do not constitute a nuisance, or a danger to public safety. ... Fires larger than three feet in diameter, and two feet in height, shall be considered bonfires, and are subject to § 77-4, requiring a permit, and prior authorization from the Office of Fire Safety and local fire district.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4996449; v35 updated 2026-05-26; through 05-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
' Section 77-4 permits are issued through the Town Fire Inspector after Erie County Health Department and, if applicable, state DEC sign-off, and are aimed at structured or agency burns rather than routine backyard fires. The Local Fire Chief or a designee can order any recreational fire extinguished if it becomes illegal, a nuisance, or hazardous, and must report illegal, nuisance, hazardous or structure fires to the Office of Fire Safety within 48 hours under § 77-5. Because § 77-7 lets the Office of Fire Safety impose a Town-wide burn ban for weather or air-quality reasons at any time, even a compliant three-foot campfire can become temporarily unlawful during an active ban.
Violations & Fines
A recreational fire that exceeds the three-foot-by-two-foot bonfire threshold without the § 77-4 permit, burns anything but natural wood, or is run during an active § 77-7 burn ban is treated as illegal open burning under § 77-2, punishable under § 77-6 by up to a $500 fine or 15 days in jail per day. The Local Fire Chief can order it extinguished immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a campfire in my backyard in Cheektowaga?
How big can a fire pit be before it needs a permit?
Can I burn treated wood or pallets in a fire pit?
Can the Town stop me from having a fire pit even if it's small?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cheektowaga
How Cheektowaga compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·New York rules heatmap·Compare Cheektowaga to another location·View the New York fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Erie County handle fire pits & backyard fires.