Hackensack, NJ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Hackensack adopted Chapter 88 (Fire Prevention) by City Council on April 23, 2013 (Ordinance No. 6-2013). Chapter 88 designates the City of Hackensack as the local enforcing agency for the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code under the Uniform Fire Safety Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.) and incorporates the State Fire Prevention Code at N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, which itself adopts the International Fire Code with New Jersey amendments. Under the State Fire Prevention Code (IFC Section 307 as amended by N.J.A.C. 5:70-3), open burning of rubbish, leaves, brush, demolition debris, and similar materials is prohibited; this prohibition is reinforced by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection rules at N.J.A.C. 7:27-2.1, which forbid the open burning of refuse statewide except in narrowly defined exemptions (training fires, prescribed agricultural burns with DEP approval, and certain emergency or ceremonial fires). Recreational fires (small fires used for cooking, warmth, or social purposes) and approved-container fires are permitted without a permit under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7 and IFC 307.4, subject to size and clearance limits described in the fire-pit-rules entry. Bonfires (ceremonial or commemorative open fires larger than a recreational fire) require a Type 1 permit under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(b)1 issued in writing by the Hackensack Fire Official, with the application submitted at least ten days in advance, written authorization from the property owner, and minimum clearances of 50 feet from any structure or combustible material under IFC 307.4. The Fire Official may prohibit any fire when atmospheric, drought, or wind conditions make burning hazardous, and may order any non-compliant fire to be extinguished. Hackensack Code Chapter 46 (Air Pollution Control) further restricts incinerator operation to between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and incorporates Bergen County and NJDEP air quality enforcement.