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Stark County, OH Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

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

Outdoor burning rules in Stark County, OH, 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

Governing rule
OAC 3745-19 (Ohio EPA)
Household trash
Illegal to burn
Waste-fire setback
1,000 feet from neighbor building
Banned materials
Plastics, rubber, petroleum, building debris
Local layer
City/fire dept permit

Summary

Ohio EPA rules (OAC 3745-19) govern open burning statewide. Burning household trash, yard debris, or garbage is prohibited. Residential waste burning, where allowed, must sit at least 1,000 feet from any neighbor's inhabited building and burn no rubber, plastic, or building materials.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Stark County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The fire is located at a point on the premises no less than one thousand feet from any inhabited building not located on said premises... No materials are burned which contain rubber, grease, asphalt, liquid petroleum products, plastics or building materials.

Full Breakdown

Open burning in Ohio is controlled by Ohio EPA under OAC 3745-19, enforced alongside your local fire department. In restricted areas (near towns), open burning is banned except for small recreational fires. Where residential waste burning is permitted, OAC 3745-19-04(B)(3) requires the fire be at least 1,000 feet from any inhabited building not on the premises and prohibits burning rubber, grease, asphalt, liquid petroleum products, plastics, or building materials. Bonfires and campfires are allowed only with clean seasoned firewood and a fuel area no larger than three feet across and two feet high, and never for waste disposal. Canton and other cities add permit requirements.

Violations & Fines

Illegal open burning can bring Ohio EPA enforcement and civil penalties, plus local fire-department citations. In Canton, unlawful burning is a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn leaves and yard waste in Stark County?
Not in restricted areas near towns, and never as waste disposal under Ohio EPA rules. Canton specifically bans burning leaves, brush, and yard debris. Check your township and fire department.
Are campfires legal in Ohio?
Yes, if fueled with clean seasoned firewood, kept to a fuel area three feet across and two feet high, and not used to dispose of waste, per OAC 3745-19-03.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Stark County

All Stark County rules

How Stark County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Stark County to another location·View the Ohio fire regulations overview

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