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Seminole County, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Seminole County, FL, 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

Yard-debris setback
300 ft from occupied buildings
Pile size limit
8 ft without authorization
Burn hours
After 9am, out before sunset
State rule
FAC 5I-2.006
Burn-ban trigger
KBDI reaches 500

Summary

You may burn yard debris on residential property only when no county burn ban is active and you follow Florida Forest Service setbacks. Piles over 8 feet across need a state burn authorization. During a burn ban, all outdoor burning not permitted by the Forest Service is prohibited.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Seminole County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Residential, and Agricultural/Silvicultural pile burning must be set back three hundred (300') feet or more away from any occupied building other than that of the landowner and fifty (50') feet from any wildlands, brush or combustible structure.

Source: Fla. Admin. Code R. 5I-2.006 – Open Burning AllowedView official code

Full Breakdown

Open burning in Seminole County is governed by county Fire Safety Code Ch. 85 plus the Florida Forest Service rules in FAC Chapter 5I-2. Residential yard-debris burning normally needs no state authorization if piles are under 8 feet, but tree-cutting-debris burns must be set back 300 feet from any occupied building other than the landowner's, 100 feet from paved roads, and 50 feet from wildlands or combustible structures. Fires must start after 9 a.m. Eastern and be out one hour before sunset, attended at all times. When the KBDI drought index hits 500, the county burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning not authorized by the Forest Service.

Violations & Fines

Illegal burning during a ban carries a civil citation up to $500 per violation, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both; Forest Service may also cite escaped fires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to burn yard debris?
Not for piles under 8 feet in normal conditions, but you must follow Forest Service setbacks. Larger piles require a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service.
Can I burn during a drought?
No. When the Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaches 500, Seminole County's burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning that the Florida Forest Service has not specifically permitted.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Seminole County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsSmoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsFireworksLight RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsWildfire ZonesSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions

All Seminole County rules

How Seminole County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview

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