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

Open burning in Florida is governed by the Department of Environmental Protection's rule and enforced largely through the Florida Forest Service (a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, FDACS). Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-256.700 ('Open Burning Allowed') and Florida Forest Service guidance permit residential burning of yard waste that was generated on the same premises (limited to one or two family units) without a Forest Service authorization, provided the pile fits within an 8-foot diameter, the fire is ignited no earlier than 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, is extinguished no later than one hour before sunset, is attended at all times with fire-suppression equipment on hand, and meets setbacks of at least 25 feet from any wildland, brush or combustible structure, 50 feet from any paved public road, and 150 feet from any occupied building other than the owner's. Piles larger than 8 feet in diameter, tree-cutting debris, and land-clearing debris require prior contact with and authorization from the Florida Forest Service. Beyond the statewide rules, Leon County Emergency Management periodically issues a local emergency proclamation imposing a countywide burn ban during drought; while in effect, all open burning not specifically authorized by the Florida Forest Service is prohibited, including yard-debris and vegetative burning.