Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Pasco County, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

Outdoor burning rules in Pasco County, 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

Code Section
Pasco Code Ch. 46, Art. IV; Fla. Admin. Code R. 5I-2.006
Burn hours
After 9 a.m. ET to one hour before sunset
Pile limit
8-foot diameter pile or non-combustible container
Source
Yard waste generated on the same property
Authorization
FFS authorization for piles over 8 ft / agricultural
FFS contact
Withlacoochee Forestry Center 352-797-4100

Summary

Pasco County Fire Rescue states there is no burning in unincorporated Pasco County except yard waste meeting strict requirements, or agricultural/silvicultural/land-clearing/pile burning that requires a Florida Forest Service authorization. Yard-waste fires must be ignited after 9 a.m. Eastern, extinguished one hour before sunset, fit in an 8-foot pile or non-combustible container, and be generated on the same property.

City-specific rules exist: Dade City has its own outdoor burning rules that differ from Pasco County's county-level regulations. If you live in Dade City, check the city-specific page instead.

There is no burning in Pasco County except in the following conditions: Yard waste that meets the requirements below[;] Agricultural, silvicultural, land-clearing, pile and acreage burning all require a burning authorization from the Florida Forest Service. ... You may burn yard waste as long as: You meet the required setbacks and no local, city or county ordinances prohibit burning. The yard waste was generated on your property (where the burning will occur) and it will fit in an 8-foot diameter pile or non-combustible container. Your fire is ignited after 9 am. Eastern Time and is extinguished one hour before sunset. Smoke is not a hazard or nuisance. ... It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers.

Source: Pasco County FL Code of OrdinancesView official code

Full Breakdown

Pasco County Fire Rescue's Open Burning guidance, applying Chapter 46, Article IV of the County Code and Fla. Admin. Code R. ' Yard waste means vegetative debris such as grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs, and palm fronds resulting from yard maintenance. m. Eastern Time and extinguished one hour before sunset; required setbacks are met and no local ordinance prohibits burning; and smoke is not a hazard or nuisance. It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers.

Violations & Fines

Open burning without required Florida Forest Service authorization, burning prohibited materials, or burning during a burn ban is enforced by Pasco County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service. Unauthorized open burning that escapes is a second-degree misdemeanor under Fla. Stat. 590.28 and the responsible party is liable for suppression costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to burn yard waste in Pasco County?
No authorization is required to burn yard waste as long as you meet the required setbacks, there is no local ordinance prohibiting burning, the waste was generated on your property and fits in an 8-foot diameter pile or non-combustible container, the fire is ignited after 9 a.m. Eastern and extinguished one hour before sunset, and smoke is not a hazard or nuisance.
What if my burn pile is larger than 8 feet?
Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter require authorization from the Florida Forest Service (Withlacoochee Forestry Center, 352-797-4100/4101), require suppression equipment on hand, and must meet additional setback requirements.
What materials are illegal to burn?
It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint and aerosol containers.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pasco County

All Pasco County rules

How Pasco County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview

Get notified when Outdoor Burning in Pasco County, FL changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Outdoor Burning in Cities Across Pasco County