Monroe County, NY Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Monroe County, NY, 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 law
- Monroe County Sanitary Code § 569-40
- General rule
- Open refuse burning prohibited
- Exceptions
- Grills, campfires, ag debris, training fires
- Max penalty
- $1,000 civil penalty
Summary
Monroe County bans open burning of refuse except for specific permitted activities like grills, campfires and agricultural debris burning listed in the county's Open Burning Control law.
No person shall burn any refuse in any open fire except in conformity with the provisions of § 569-40B.
B. When not prohibited by other local laws, ordinances or regulations, or other officials having jurisdiction, the following types of open burning are permissible:
(1) Fires in outdoor grills and outdoor fireplaces for the purpose of preparing food.
(2) Campfires and fires used solely for recreational purposes and when a nuisance is not created. The burning of leaves and lawn and garden debris shall not be considered recreational burning. Local tire marshals and fire chiefs shall be consulted for information on local laws and/or other restrictions.
(3) Burning of tree trimmings, insect-infested or diseased vegetation, material cultivated from created wetlands, animal or vegetable wastes or land-clearing materials consisting of trees, tree trimmings, leaves or brush from on-premises agricultural operations, when burning is controlled and a nuisance is not created. This provision does not apply to the City of Rochester. Local fire marshals and fire chiefs shall be consulted for information on local laws and/or other restrictions.
(4) Open burning of highly explosive or dangerous materials in remote areas for which there is no other practical method of disposal, when nuisance is not created and when conducted by police and fire officials for the purpose of the protection of public safety.
(5)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4802746; v60 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Article V of the Sanitary Code sets countywide open-burning policy. Under § 569-40(A), no person may burn refuse in an open fire except as permitted under § 569-40(B), which lists narrow exceptions such as cooking fires, recreational campfires, agricultural debris burning and instructional fires. Violators face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 under § 569-42.
Violations & Fines
Burning refuse outside the permitted exceptions is a violation punishable by a civil penalty of up to $1,000 under § 569-42, enforced by the County Board of Health, Sheriff or local fire officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is open burning legal in Monroe County?
What's the penalty for illegal open burning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
How Monroe County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·New York rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the New York fire regulations overview
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