Monroe County is not designated a high wildfire hazard area. No defensible space requirements. NY DEC Part 215 brush burn ban (March 16 – May 14) is the primary wildfire-season rule. Rochester metro dominated by urban/suburban land cover.
Monroe County, NY (Rochester metro) is not within any designated wildfire hazard zone. Unlike western states or Long Island's Pine Barrens, the Rochester region features urban/suburban development, agricultural land, and deciduous forest with low wildfire risk. No state or local defensible space requirements apply. The primary fire-season regulation is NY DEC 6 NYCRR Part 215 — statewide residential brush burning ban March 16 through May 14 annually, coinciding with peak dry/windy conditions before spring green-up. Violations carry minimum $500 fine first offense. Trash burning prohibited year-round statewide. Rochester Fire Department and Monroe County Fire Coordinator may declare emergency burn bans during drought. Fire-resistant construction not mandated locally. Homeowners insurance generally does not require wildfire mitigation in Monroe County.
Brush burning March 16 – May 14: minimum $500 first offense under ECL §71-4403. Trash burning: similar penalties year-round. Emergency burn ban violations: enhanced penalties.
Monroe County, NY
City of Rochester prohibits on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM year-round under Municipal Code §111-5 (alternate side not in effect; blanket overnight ban). Resi...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County towns specify approved fence materials in zoning codes. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron standard. Barbed wire banned in residential z...
Monroe County, NY
NY State Uniform Code (Residential Code §R404) requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing. Monroe County muni...
Monroe County, NY
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Monroe County with no state restrictions. Rain barrels widely encouraged for Lake Ontario and Genesee River watershed protec...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County municipalities generally permit artificial turf on residential property. Rochester and Brighton require drainage plans for larger installations...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County towns enforce weed and overgrown vegetation rules. Rochester Property Conservation Code Ch. 90 requires grass under 10 inches. Vacant lots a pr...
See how Monroe County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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