Ramsey County, MN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Ramsey County, MN, 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
- Permit authority
- Minnesota DNR / its agent
- Governing statute
- Minn. Stat. 88.17
- Permit trigger
- Burning brush, leaves, vegetation
- Metro reality
- Open burning mostly prohibited
- County role
- None; DNR + city issue rules
Summary
Burning brush, leaves, or vegetation in Minnesota generally requires a DNR open-burning permit from the commissioner or an agent. In the urban Twin Cities metro, open burning is largely prohibited; check your city.
Permission to start a fire to burn vegetative materials and other materials allowed by Minnesota Statutes or official state rules and regulations may be given by the commissioner or the commissioner's agent.
Full Breakdown
Under Minn. Stat. 88.17, permission to start a fire to burn vegetative materials must be given by the DNR commissioner or the commissioner's agent. A permit is required whenever a fire exceeds 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high or involves burning leaves, brush, and clean untreated wood. Because Ramsey County is the most urbanized county in Minnesota, most of its cities prohibit or tightly restrict open burning and route residents to yard-waste collection instead. Ramsey County does not issue burning permits itself; those come through the DNR and city fire departments.
Violations & Fines
Starting a fire without required permission is punishable under Minn. Stat. 88.17 and Ch. 88; the fire official may order extinguishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to burn leaves in Ramsey County?
Who issues open-burning permits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ramsey County
How Ramsey County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Ramsey County to another location·View the Minnesota fire regulations overview
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