Fort Lee, NJ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Borough of Fort Lee Chapter 216 (Fire Prevention) establishes the Bureau of Fire Prevention and adopts the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and Uniform Fire Code by reference, vesting enforcement in the Fire Official and the Bureau. The substantive outdoor-burning rules come from the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code at N.J.A.C. 5:70 (and the State Fire Prevention Code at N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, which incorporates the International Fire Code with New Jersey amendments). A 'recreational fire' is defined as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill, or barbeque pit, and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. Recreational fires are allowed without prior notification but must not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure must be eliminated prior to ignition. Portable outdoor fireplaces (chimineas, fire pits) used in residential settings must be set back not less than 15 feet from a structure or combustible material when used in approved containers. A bonfire (any open fire larger than the recreational-fire size limits, or used in connection with public gatherings for entertainment, amusement, or recreation) requires a Type 1 permit issued by the Fire Official under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7, must use only seasoned dry firewood ignited with a small quantity of paper, and must be located at least 50 feet from any structure with conditions eliminated for the spread of fire. A constantly attended water source or extinguisher is required, and the Fire Official may order extinguishment when conditions become unsafe (high wind, drought advisory, air-quality alert). Open burning of household refuse, leaves, yard waste, brush, construction debris, and similar materials is prohibited under the Uniform Fire Code; New Jersey Air Pollution Control rules at N.J.A.C. 7:27-2 (Open Burning) reinforce the same prohibition statewide. In Fort Lee park premises, all fires and heating devices are prohibited except as specifically authorized by the Department of Recreation. The Fire Official has authority to ban any otherwise-allowed outdoor burning during periods of high fire danger or wildfire restrictions issued by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.