Newark, OH Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

The restricted area is set by § 660.08(a)(1)M. It is the area within the boundary of the municipality, plus a zone extending one mile beyond any municipality having a population of 10,000 persons or more according to the latest federal census. Inside that area, subsection (c)(1) says no person or property owner shall cause or allow open burning except as provided in divisions (c)(2) to (c)(4) or in Ohio R.C. 3704.11. Open burning is defined in (a)(1)K as burning of any materials where the air contaminants are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney.

The exceptions come in three tiers. Under (c)(2), burning is allowed without notification to or permission from the Ohio EPA for occupational needs such as heating tar, welding, acetylene torches and highway safety flares, and for bonfires, campfires and outdoor fireplace equipment that meet the fuel and size conditions. Under (c)(3), burning is allowed with prior written notification to the Ohio EPA at least ten working days before the fire: disease or pest control, ceremonial bonfires, and agricultural waste generated on the premises when the fire is located no less than 1,000 feet from any inhabited building not on the premises. Under (c)(4), burning needs written permission from the Ohio EPA, which asks for at least ten working days to review an application.

There is a burn-ban trigger in subsection (b)(1): notwithstanding OAC Chapter 3745-19, no open burning shall be conducted in an area where an air alert, warning or emergency under OAC Chapter 3745-25 is in effect. Subsection (b)(2) adds that Ohio EPA permission does not exempt any person from any local ordinance or regulation dealing with open burning.

Section 1860.05(a) separately bars disposing of solid waste by open burning except as authorized by the state Director of Environmental Protection.