Outdoor burning rules in Monroe County, NY — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Outdoor burning in Monroe County is regulated by Monroe County Sanitary Code Article V and NY State DEC Part 215. Burning trash and leaves is prohibited statewide. Small recreational fires with clean dry wood are generally allowed with conditions.
Monroe County adopted its own Sanitary Code Article V governing open burning, administered by the Monroe County Department of Environmental Health. NY State DEC Part 215 establishes the baseline: only clean, dry, untreated, unpainted wood may be burned outdoors. Burning household trash, leaves, and brush is illegal statewide. Small recreational fires under 3 feet high and 4 feet in diameter are generally permitted. Larger fires (bonfires) require advance permits from Monroe County and local authorities — at least 30 days' notice for community events. All fires must maintain proper clearance from structures (25 feet for recreational fires per NYS Fire Code; 15 feet for fires in approved containers). Fires must be supervised by a competent adult, a water source must be on hand, and no new material may be added after 10 PM. Individual towns within Monroe County may have stricter local rules. The NY DEC also enforces a spring brush burning ban (generally March 15–May 15).
Violations of Monroe County Sanitary Code Article V can result in fines from the Monroe County Department of Health. NY State DEC may also enforce Part 215 violations.
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See how Monroe County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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