Fire pit rules in Lorain County, OH — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Recreational fire pits are allowed statewide but the Ohio Fire Code requires gas-fired recreational pits to stay at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material. Recreational fires must burn clean wood only, with a fuel area no larger than three feet across and two feet high.
Ohio does not license backyard fire pits, but two statewide rules govern them and are enforced by Lorain's and Elyria's fire departments. The Ohio Fire Code (OAC 1301:7-7-03, section 307.4.2.1) states recreational fires in gas-fired pits shall not be within 15 feet of a structure or combustible materials. Ohio EPA rule OAC 3745-19-03 allows recreational/cooking fires only if fueled with clean seasoned firewood or natural gas, not used for waste disposal, with a total fuel area three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. The state fire marshal may ban recreational fires during drought.
Open burning outside these limits is a minor misdemeanor under most city codes; Ohio EPA can also cite illegal open burning. A separate offense may be charged for each day a violation continues.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Lorain County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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