Pinellas County, FL Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Pinellas County Code § 58-210 makes open burning illegal countywide unless it fits one of the narrow exceptions in Article V: 'Any open burning not specifically allowed by this article is prohibited. No person shall ignite, cause to be ignited, permit to be ignited, suffer, allow, burn, conduct or maintain any prohibited open burning.' The same section bars unapproved outdoor heating devices used for cold or frost protection. Section 58-208 confirms the ban embraces 'all territory within the legal boundaries of the county, including all incorporated and all unincorporated areas.' Section 58-211 adds that no permitted burn may reduce visibility on a public roadway below 500 feet or endanger air traffic.

Recreational fires are allowed under § 58-217 but only inside a cleared 'fire ring' at least 15 feet from any structure, using approved solid fuel of clean dry wood or charcoal; treated wood, yard waste, paper and garbage may never be burned there. Grills, camp stoves and other LP-gas or liquid-fuel cookers are exempt from the ban outright. Land-clearing burns (§ 58-214) need a written permit from the fire chief of the district where the burn will occur, must sit at least 50 yards from any occupied building or public highway during daylight hours, or 500 yards away otherwise, and the permit must be kept on site. Agricultural, silvicultural and frost-protection burning is allowed between 9:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset with prior approval from the state division of forestry (§§ 58-212, 58-213). Industrial, commercial and municipal open burning is prohibited outright unless the board of county commissioners and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection both approve it as the only feasible method of operation (§ 58-215).