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St. Lucie County, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Outdoor burning rules in St. Lucie 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

Max pile size
8 feet diameter
Setback from buildings
150 feet
Setback from paved road
50 feet
Prohibited
Trash, plastics, treated wood, tires
Big piles
Need Forest Service authorization

Summary

Burning yard trash in unincorporated St. Lucie County is governed by Florida Forest Service Rule 5I-2. Piles must be no larger than 8 feet across, set back from buildings and roads, and any pile over 8 feet needs Florida Forest Service authorization.

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

Open burning of biological waste, hazardous waste, asbestos-containing materials... tires, rubber material... treated wood, plastics, garbage, or trash is strictly prohibited... The open burning must be enclosed in a noncombustible container or be in a pile no greater than eight feet in diameter.

Full Breakdown

Under Rule 5I-2.006, F.A.C., residential yard-waste burning must be at least 150 feet from any occupied building other than the landowner's, 50 feet from any paved public roadway, and 25 feet from any wildlands, brush, or combustible structure. The fire must be enclosed in a noncombustible container or a pile no greater than eight feet in diameter. Burning of garbage, plastics, tires, treated wood, and household trash is strictly prohibited. Larger piles or land-clearing debris require a Florida Forest Service open-burn authorization, obtained by calling the local Forest Service office.

Violations & Fines

Illegal open burning is enforced by the Florida Forest Service and county code compliance; violators can face citations, and anyone whose fire escapes is liable for wildfire suppression and damage costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can my burn pile be in St. Lucie County?
A residential yard-waste pile may be no greater than eight feet in diameter. Anything larger requires a burn authorization from the Florida Forest Service.
Can I burn household garbage outdoors?
No. Open burning of garbage, plastics, tires, treated wood, and trash is strictly prohibited statewide. Only untreated wood and vegetative yard trash may be burned.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Lucie County

All St. Lucie County rules

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

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Outdoor Burning in Cities Across St. Lucie County