Palm Coast, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Palm Coast, FL, 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
- Prohibited
- Trash, garbage, lawn debris, commercial waste
- Permit-only burning
- Ceremonial, land clearing, campfires, emergencies
- Land-clearing permit condition
- FL Division of Forestry notice + burn index check
- Application fee
- Set by City Council resolution, per burn day
- Enforced by
- Fire Marshal / Fire Rescue Department
Summary
Palm Coast bans open burning of trash, garbage, lawn debris and commercial waste citywide under City Code § 25-52(1)(a). Ceremonial fires, land clearing, prescribed burns, emergency burning and campfires are allowed only with a Fire Marshal permit issued in advance under § 25-52(1)(b).
(1)Open burning prohibited.a.Open burning of commercial waste, residential trash, garbage, lawn debris, clippings, trees or other debris on residential, commercial or industrial property is prohibited within the City limits of the City of Palm Coast, but not including commercial land clearing operations which is addressed in subsection b.b.The following types of open burning are permitted if pre-approved by the Fire Marshal and a permit issued by the Fire Marshal for such activities which approval may occur in the context of a preannexation agreement and which permits shall focus on addressing the disbursal of smoke and its adverse affects:1.Ceremonial fires.2.Commercial land clearing operations.3.Prescribed burns conducted by fire control agencies.4.When an emergency condition exists within the City that warrants burning.5.Campfires.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 | Land Development Code: Supplement 18).
Full Breakdown
Section 25-52, a local amendment to the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted by Ord. No. 06-06, § 1 (4-18-06), prohibits open burning of commercial waste, residential trash, garbage, lawn debris, clippings, trees and other debris anywhere in Palm Coast, whether on residential, commercial or industrial property. Five categories of burning remain lawful but only if the Fire Marshal pre-approves and issues a permit: ceremonial fires, commercial land clearing operations, prescribed burns by fire control agencies, burning during a declared City emergency, and campfires. For commercial land clearing specifically, § 25-52(1)(c) requires the Fire Marshal to confirm all conditions precedent are met, that the Florida Division of Forestry has been notified, and that the Division's daily 'burn index' will permit burning before issuing the permit.
Applications go through the Fire Rescue Department under § 25-52(2)(a); the City Council may set a per-day application fee by resolution, applicants prepay for their estimated burn days, and unused days are refunded while additional days require a new permit before burning continues. Nothing in the section relieves an applicant of complying with any other law governing open burning.
Violations & Fines
Burning prohibited materials, or burning without the required Fire Marshal permit, is a fire code violation. Under Sec. 25-76, Fire Marshal inspectors are charged with enforcing the fire safety code and investigate the cause and circumstances of fires occurring in the City. An inspector may issue an order under Sec. 25-79 to protect property and persons where a violation is found, served on the occupant or posted on the premises, with mailed notice to the owner if unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard debris or trash in Palm Coast?
How do I get a permit to burn land-clearing debris?
Are campfires legal in Palm Coast?
Is there a fee for an open burning permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Coast
How Palm Coast compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Coast to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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