Lorain County, OH Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Lorain County, OH, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Restricted area
- Cities of 10,000+ plus buffer
- Waste burning
- Banned in Lorain and Elyria
- Seasonal ban
- 6am-6pm, Mar-May, Oct-Nov (rural)
- Never burnable
- Tires, plastics, garbage, treated wood
- Authority
- Ohio EPA; ORC 1503.18
Summary
In cities like Lorain and Elyria (population over 10,000), Ohio EPA rules make them 'restricted areas' where burning residential trash, leaves, and yard waste is prohibited. Rural unincorporated land also faces a state ban on open fires from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during March-May and October-November.
No person shall kindle or authorize another to kindle a fire in the open air, outside the limits of any municipal corporation... for the purpose of burning wood, brush, weeds, grass, or rubbish... between the hours of six a.m. and six p.m. during the months of March, April, May, October, and November in any year.
Full Breakdown
Ohio EPA rule OAC 3745-19-03 defines a 'restricted area' as any municipality of 10,000+ (plus a one-mile buffer); Lorain and Elyria both qualify, so open burning of residential waste is banned there. Materials like tires, plastics, garbage, and treated wood cannot be burned anywhere in Ohio at any time. Separately, ORC 1503.18 bars kindling open fires outside municipal limits between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during March, April, May, October, and November. Ohio's peak wildfire months. Recreational and cooking fires are exempt if they meet size and clean-fuel limits. The county governs only unincorporated townships.
Violations & Fines
Illegal open burning is a minor misdemeanor locally and may draw Ohio EPA enforcement. ORC 1503.18 violations near woodland can carry additional penalties and liability for fire-suppression costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my Elyria backyard?
When is open burning banned in rural Lorain County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lorain County
How Lorain County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Lorain County to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview
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