Atlantic County, NJ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Atlantic County, NJ, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Open Burning
- Generally prohibited
- State Rule
- N.J.A.C. 7:27-2.3
- Allowed
- Contained recreational fire
- Leaves/Trash
- Never burned
Summary
Open burning is generally prohibited across Atlantic County under N.J.A.C. 7:27-2.3. No one may dispose of refuse, fallen leaves, or plant material by open burning. Only contained recreational and cooking fires are allowed.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the disposal of rubbish, garbage, trade waste, buildings or structures by open burning.
Full Breakdown
The NJDEP bans open burning statewide through N.J.A.C. 7:27-2.3, which bars burning rubbish, garbage, trade waste, buildings, fallen leaves, and any type of plant in the open air. This applies in every Atlantic County municipality. Atlantic City, Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Hamilton, and Hammonton. Narrow exceptions exist only for permitted prescribed burns, fire-training exercises, and certain agricultural operations, which matter across the county's Pinelands and Mays Landing farmland. Contained recreational and cooking fires burning clean wood are allowed under the Uniform Fire Code with a 15-foot structure setback. Burning household trash, leaves, or construction debris is never permitted.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful open burning is enforced by NJDEP and municipal fire officials under the Air Pollution Control Act, with penalties reaching thousands of dollars per day, plus the cost of suppressing any fire that escapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is open burning allowed in Atlantic County?
Can I burn my household trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlantic County
How Atlantic County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Atlantic County to another location·View the New Jersey fire regulations overview
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