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Middletown, OH Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

Outdoor burning rules in Middletown, 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
City limits plus 1 mile
General rule
Open burning banned in restricted area
Air alert days
No open burning permitted
Penalty
Minor misdemeanor, per-day offense
Extra cost
Offender pays disposal cost

Summary

In the City of Middletown, Ohio, open burning is banned within the city's restricted area except for narrow purposes such as bonfires, disease-control burns with Ohio EPA notice, or agricultural waste disposal meeting strict conditions. Violation is a minor misdemeanor plus disposal costs.

§ 660.08 OPEN BURNING. ... (c) Open burning in restricted areas. (1) No person or property owner shall cause or allow open burning in a restricted area except as provided in divisions (b) to (d) of this section or in Ohio R.C. 3704.11. ... (e) Penalty. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues. In addition, the offender shall be required to pay the cost of proper disposal of the materials burned.

View official code

Full Breakdown

C. Chapter 3745-19) as Middletown's own regulation. 08(a)(1)M). C. 08(c)(1)). 08(c)(2)). 08(c)(3)). 08(c)(4)-(d)). C. 08(b)(1)). 08(b)(2)).

Violations & Fines

Violating any open-burning provision of § 660.08 is a minor misdemeanor, with a separate offense for each day the violation continues, and the offender must also pay the cost of properly disposing of the materials burned as if disposed of lawfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is open burning legal in Middletown, Ohio?
Generally no. Section 660.08(c)(1) bars open burning anywhere in the City's restricted area, which extends one mile beyond the municipal boundary, except for the narrow purposes listed in the ordinance.
Can I get permission to burn agricultural or land-clearing waste?
Only under strict conditions. Agricultural waste disposal requires the fire be set at least 1,000 feet from any inhabited building not on the premises, dried material, and no rubber, grease, asphalt, plastics or building materials burned, per Section 660.08(c)(3)C.
What is the penalty for illegal open burning?
A minor misdemeanor under Section 660.08(e), with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense, plus the offender must pay the cost of properly disposing of whatever was burned.
Can I burn during an air quality alert?
No. Section 660.08(b)(1) prohibits all open burning in any area where an air alert, warning or emergency under O.A.C. Chapter 3745-25 is in effect, regardless of any other permission granted.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Middletown

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Pits & Backyard FiresSome RestrictionsFireworksSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome Restrictions

All Middletown rules

How Middletown compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Middletown to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview

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