Summit County, OH Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Summit County, OH, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Rule
- OAC 3745-19-03 recreational fire
- Max size
- 3 ft wide, 2 ft high
- Fuel
- Clean seasoned firewood
- Waste burning
- Prohibited
- Local rules
- City/township fire dept may add
Summary
A backyard campfire or recreational fire is allowed in Summit County without a permit when it burns clean seasoned firewood, is not used for waste disposal, and stays three feet or less across and two feet or less high. Local fire departments may add rules.
Bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment, whether for cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, recreational, or similar purposes... a fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Ohio EPA rule OAC 3745-19-03 exempts recreational fires - bonfires, campfires, and outdoor fireplace equipment used for cooking, warmth, pleasure, or ceremony - from open-burning restrictions if they use clean seasoned firewood or equivalent clean fuel, are not used to dispose of waste, and keep a fuel area three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Summit County Public Health enforces air-quality limits in townships and contracting municipalities. Because Summit County is heavily incorporated, your city or village fire department may require attendance, containment, water on hand, or setbacks from structures and property lines, so verify locally before lighting.
Violations & Fines
A backyard fire that exceeds the size limit, burns waste, or creates a nuisance loses its exemption and becomes illegal open burning, subject to Ohio EPA, health-department, and local fire-department enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a backyard campfire legal in Summit County?
Must someone watch the fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Summit County
How Summit County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Summit County to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview
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