Middletown, OH Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Middletown, OH, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Size limit (no-notice)
- 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height
- Fuel
- Clean seasoned firewood or equivalent
- Waste disposal use
- Prohibited
- Larger ceremonial fire (with EPA notice)
- 5x5 ft, under 3 hours
- Penalty if noncompliant
- Minor misdemeanor
Summary
In the City of Middletown, Ohio, bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment for cooking, pleasure or ceremony are allowed without EPA notice only if fueled by clean seasoned firewood or an equivalent clean fuel, limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and never used for waste disposal.
B. Bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment, whether for cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, recreational, or similar purposes, if the following conditions are met: 1. They are fueled with clean seasoned firewood, natural gas or equivalent, or any clean burning fuel with emissions that are equivalent to or lower than those created from the burning of seasoned firewood; 2. They are not used for waste disposal purposes; and 3. They shall have a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height.
Full Breakdown
Section 660.08's open-burning ordinance carves out a specific allowance for recreational fires. "Bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment, whether for cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, recreational, or similar purposes" may burn without any notification to or permission from the Ohio EPA if three conditions are all met: the fire is fueled with clean seasoned firewood, natural gas or an equivalent clean-burning fuel with emissions no worse than seasoned firewood; the fire is not used for waste disposal; and the fire's total fuel area does not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height (§ 660.08(c)(2)B).
A larger ceremonial bonfire or campfire that does not fit those limits can still proceed with prior notification to the Ohio EPA at least ten working days ahead, if it is capped at five feet in diameter by five feet in height, burns no longer than three hours, is not used for waste disposal, and is fueled the same way (§ 660.08(c)(3)B). Fires under either allowance still fall under the general restricted-area framework of § 660.08(c) and remain barred entirely during any Ohio EPA air alert, warning or emergency (§ 660.08(b)(1)).
A backyard fire pit that burns trash, plastics, rubber or building material, or that exceeds the size caps, loses the exemption and becomes prohibited open burning.
Violations & Fines
A fire pit, bonfire or campfire that exceeds the 3-foot-by-2-foot size limit, burns disposal fuel, or is not otherwise exempt is unlawful open burning under § 660.08(c)(1), a minor misdemeanor with each day of violation a separate offense plus disposal costs owed by the offender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a backyard fire pit be in Middletown, Ohio?
What fuel can I burn in a fire pit?
Can I have a bigger bonfire for a special occasion?
What happens if my fire pit is too big or burns trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Middletown
Compare Middletown to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.