Outdoor burning rules in Lexington, KY — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Lexington-Fayette prohibits open burning of trash and yard waste in most of the urban service area and restricts agricultural and brush burning to specific conditions. Kentucky Division of Forestry fire hazard seasons (February 15 to April 30 and October 1 to December 15) further restrict burning within 150 feet of woodland between 6 AM and 6 PM.
LFUCG has historically operated under a broad prohibition on open burning within the urban service boundary, reflecting air quality and public safety priorities. Burning of household garbage, construction debris, tires, and similar materials is banned citywide under both local ordinance and Kentucky Division for Air Quality rules (401 KAR 63:005). Yard waste burning is discouraged or prohibited in much of Fayette County, with LFUCG providing free yard waste collection as the preferred alternative. Outside the urban service boundary in rural Fayette County, limited burning of natural vegetation is permitted but subject to Kentucky Division of Forestry rules during the spring (February 15 to April 30) and fall (October 1 to December 15) fire hazard seasons, when burning within 150 feet of any woodland is illegal between 6 AM and 6 PM. Permitted agricultural burning requires the person starting the fire to maintain continuous attendance, keep water or suppression tools on hand, and ensure the fire is fully extinguished. Lexington Fire Department responds to illegal burning complaints and may issue citations. Recreational fires in approved containers (see backyard fires) are treated separately from open burning. During ozone action days issued by the Kentucky Division for Air Quality, all outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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