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Sarpy County, NE Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Sarpy County, NE, 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

State Rule
Open burning banned
Permit
Fire chief may waive
Never Allowed
Trash, tires, debris
Permits From
Local fire department

Summary

Nebraska bans open burning of bonfires, rubbish, and land-clearing fires statewide, but your local fire chief can waive the ban by issuing an open burning permit. Burning trash, plastics, and construction debris is never allowed, and cities add their own limits.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Sarpy County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The fire chief of a local fire department may waive an open burning ban under subsection (1) of this section for an area under the local fire department's jurisdiction by issuing an open burning permit to a person requesting permission to conduct open burning.

Source: Nebraska Revised StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

A statewide open burning ban under Nebraska law applies throughout Sarpy County, prohibiting bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires, and fires to clear land unless permitted. The local fire chief may waive the ban for a specific burn by issuing an open burning permit on a State Fire Marshal form, listing the location, date, times, and materials. Burning household trash, tires, plastics, and construction debris is prohibited regardless of any permit. Cities such as Bellevue and Papillion apply their own fire codes, and permits come from the fire department serving your area, not a central county office. Recreational fires of clean wood are treated separately.

Violations & Fines

Open burning without a required fire-chief permit, or burning prohibited materials like trash and tires, violates state law and local fire codes and can bring fines and liability for any escaped fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn yard waste or trash in Sarpy County?
Trash, tires, and construction debris are never allowed. Bonfires and yard-waste burning fall under the statewide ban and require an open burning permit from your local fire chief.
Where do I get a burn permit?
From the fire department serving your property, not a central county office. The fire chief issues the permit on a Nebraska State Fire Marshal form.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sarpy County

All Sarpy County rules

How Sarpy County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Sarpy County to another location·View the Nebraska fire regulations overview

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