Jackson, NJ Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Township Code Section 204-5N states flatly that a person shall not kindle, maintain, or authorize any open burning unless it is conducted in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, Chapter 3, Section 307, Open Burning and Recreational Fires. That cross-reference is the only path to a lawful outdoor fire: the sole carve-out under local law is the recreational-fire exemption for a small contained pit, fireplace, or grill, described in the same subsection. Anyone burning brush, leaves, debris, or any material outside a properly sized recreational-fire container is conducting unlawful open burning.

The Township goes further for agricultural operations: Section 204-5N separately requires that agricultural burning be conducted only under a valid permit issued by the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service, Department of Environmental Protection, so farm-related burns cannot rely on the recreational-fire exemption at all. Enforcement runs through the Fire Official of whichever Fire District (2, 3, or 4) covers the property, since Chapter 204 is administered by the local enforcing agency for that district. General Chapter 204 penalties, set by Section 204-14D, reach a fine of not more than $2,000, imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both, prosecuted as a civil summary action under the Penalty Enforcement Law in Municipal Court, at the discretion of the court.