Southampton Village, NY Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Chapter 58, Fire Prevention, Article I requires conformity with the Fire Code of the State of New York under § 58-1(A). The Fire Marshal enforces the fire-safety portions of the state codes and the village article under § 58-2(A), and under § 58-2(B) holds power to issue notices of violation and appearance tickets. Section 58-2(F) lets Fire Marshals summarily abate any condition in violation that presents an immediate fire hazard to life or property.

The fire rule itself is § 58-3(A)(1). A permit must be obtained from the Fire Marshal for open burning, recreational fires, portable fireplaces and bonfires. Fires kindled for instruction of personnel by the Southampton Fire Department in the methods of fighting fires are excepted. No one can kindle or maintain a fire in a way that violates any condition on the approved permit, and no one can kindle or maintain one that the Village Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, State Forest Ranger or a state, county or Village police officer determines to be unsafe or hazard-producing. Any of them can immediately suspend or revoke the permit.

The village's permit schedule in § 58-3(O) lists single event permits for open burning, recreational fires, portable fireplaces and bonfires at $75, with a $25 late fee charged after 4:00 p.m. on the working day two days before the event, or after 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior for weekend events. Under § 58-3(B) a permit is issued to one person or business for the location or purpose described, and it is not transferable. Section 58-3(M) lets the Fire Marshal revoke, suspend or deny any permit.

The carve-out matters for backyards: § 58-1(E) says Article I does not apply to one- or two-family dwellings in the normal use or maintenance thereof. Section 58-3 prints no fire pit size, setback or fuel standard. Separately, § 64-1 makes it unlawful to burn trash, rubbish or other combustible material, or to make any bonfire, within the fire zone described in Chapter 43, and § 43-9 defines that zone to include the multifamily residence, VB, HB, OD, MD, MTL, HA and LI districts. Section 64-2 requires a Fire Marshal permit to burn off any grass lot, brush lot or meadow.