Outdoor burning rules in Foster Center, RI — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Open burning in Providence County requires a permit from the local fire department and is restricted under RIGL §23-28.2 and RI DEM Air Pollution Control Regulation 4. Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls effectively prohibit open burning in dense urban areas.
Rhode Island regulates open burning under RIGL §23-28.2-19 (Fire Safety Code) and RI DEM Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 4 (250-RICR-120-05-4). A written permit from the local fire chief is mandatory before any open burning. Providence Code Ch. 15 and Pawtucket Code Ch. 162 essentially prohibit open burning in residential zones due to density. Cranston, Warwick, Woonsocket, Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence, Lincoln, Cumberland, and East Providence fire departments may issue brush burn permits for larger suburban and rural parcels only between seasonal windows (typically Jan 15 to May 15). Burning of leaves, garbage, construction debris, tires, and demolition waste is prohibited statewide. Recreational fires under 3 ft in approved containers are regulated separately under RI Fire Code.
Burning without permit: $100 to $500 under RIGL §23-28.2-25. Burning prohibited materials (trash, leaves, tires): additional fines and RI DEM air quality enforcement up to $1,000 per day. Fire spreading beyond permit: civil liability plus criminal charges.
Providence County, RI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Providence County.
See how other cities in Providence County handle outdoor burning.
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