Sarasota County, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Sarasota 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
- Yard-waste burning
- Prohibited
- Allowed without permit
- Recreational + cooking fires
- Land-clearing burn
- Forest Service permit required
- Roadway setback
- 50 feet minimum
- Authority
- SCC § 54-116; FAC 5I-2
Summary
Burning yard waste, household trash, and debris from routine property maintenance is prohibited in Sarasota County. Only recreational fires and cooking fires are allowed without a permit. Land-clearing and agricultural burns require a Florida Forest Service permit.
Open burning or open fire shall mean any outdoor fire or outdoor smoke producing process from which air contaminants are emitted into the outdoor atmosphere. All allowed open burning shall be conducted in a manner to avoid causing a nuisance or unsafe fire.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under Sarasota County Code § 54-116, the burning of yard trash, household or commercial trash, and debris from routine property maintenance is strictly prohibited. Only two open burns are allowed without a permit: recreational fires contained in a fire pit, bowl, chimenea, or fireplace, and cooking fires solely for preparing food, both using approved fuel (clean wood, charcoal, fire-starter logs, LP gas, natural gas, or butane). Broadcast burning, agricultural burning, and burning of land-clearing debris require a permit from the Florida Forest Service under FAC 5I-2. All open burning must avoid creating a nuisance and must stay at least 50 feet from any public roadway unless the Fire Chief permits otherwise.
Violations & Fines
The Fire Chief or code enforcement may order any unlawful, nuisance, or unsafe fire extinguished; failure to comply is a misdemeanor prosecuted under general law. Statewide burn bans halt all open burning during dry conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves and branches in my yard?
How do I burn land-clearing debris?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sarasota County
How Sarasota County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Sarasota County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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