Bonita Springs, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Chapter 22, Article III of the city code, adopted as Ord. No. 15-20 on 10-7-2015, sets the open burning rules in the City of Bonita Springs. Section 22-43 is the general prohibition: no person may ignite, cause to be ignited, permit to be ignited, or maintain any open fire unless the article specifically allows it. Section 22-42 defines open burning as any outdoor fire or smoke-producing process that emits air contaminants, and says open fires include recreational fires in containers such as a grill or warming-type container.

Section 22-44 adds conditions. Burning yard, commercial or household waste is a violation, recyclable materials cannot be burned, and under subsection (3) no open burning goes ahead, other than cooking fires, while the fire chief or the Florida Forest Service has issued a burning ban covering the area. Allowed burning must avoid a nuisance or unsafe fire, and where this article and another law differ, the more restrictive provision applies.

Section 22-45 lists the exceptions: gas devices, cooking fires in a grill or camp stove burning approved fuel, fires by established organizations such as Scout troops or church groups, fire hazard abatement declared by the fire district, firefighter training, fires on state lands, fires in city parks under posted rules and the Land Development Code, recreational fires on private property provided the fire is contained, burning permitted by the fire chief under the Florida Fire Prevention Code, and waste pesticide containers. A recreational fire uses approved fuel in a total fuel area not exceeding three feet in diameter and two feet in height.

Section 22-47 adds distances. Recreational fires sit at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, warming-type containers at least ten feet, and open burning at least 25 feet from the edge of a public roadway unless the fire chief permits otherwise. The fire chief, designee or a code enforcement officer can shut down and extinguish any fire deemed a nuisance or unsafe. Section 22-46 leaves Florida Forest Service authorized burns to that agency.