Outdoor burning rules in Maricopa County, AZ — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
MCAQD strictly regulates outdoor burning in all of Maricopa County including unincorporated areas. Open burning requires permits and is prohibited on no-burn days. Burn permits available through MCAQD. Agricultural and land-clearing burns have specific rules.
MCAQD (Maricopa County Air Quality Department) regulates all outdoor burning under Regulation III, Rule 314. Open burning in unincorporated Maricopa County requires a burn permit from MCAQD. Residential burning of landscape waste is limited and subject to no-burn day restrictions. MCAQD declares mandatory no-burn days during high PM10 (particulate matter) events — common during dust storm season. Agricultural burning on qualifying parcels follows separate MCAQD permitting. ARS §49-501 provides the state-level framework for air quality regulation. Burning of trash, construction debris, and prohibited materials is always illegal. Cooking fires and warming fires under 3 feet in diameter are generally exempt but still prohibited on no-burn days.
MCAQD violations: civil penalties up to $10,000/day. Burning prohibited materials: additional state penalties under ARS §49-501.
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See how Maricopa County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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