Rockland County has significant wildland-urban interface risk in Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain, the Ramapo Mountains, and Palisades. NY DEC wildfire policies, NY State Forest Ranger jurisdiction, and town brush management rules apply. No formal FireWise zone designation countywide.
Rockland County faces elevated wildfire risk in its extensive forested uplands including Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain, Hook Mountain, the Ramapo Mountains (Sloatsburg, Hillburn, Suffern), and Palisades ridge. NY DEC Division of Forest Protection and NY State Forest Rangers respond to wildland fires under ECL Article 9. Town brush and vegetation codes address defensible space indirectly: Ramapo Chapter 176 (Fire Prevention), Clarkstown Chapter 106, Stony Point Chapter 112, and Haverstraw Chapter 123 regulate accumulation of combustible vegetation near structures. NY burn permits under 6 NYCRR Part 215 restrict open burning March 16 through May 14 annually (the statewide open burning ban). Palisades Interstate Park Commission land is managed under state parks regulations; prescribed burns at Harriman and Bear Mountain are conducted by DEC and PIPC. Rockland County Fire Bureau coordinates mutual aid. Defensible space concepts (30-foot lean zone, 100-foot reduced fuel zone) are recommended best practice but not codified as in western states. Fire-resistant roofing (Class A) is required under NY UFPBC for new construction. Properties in Sloatsburg, Hillburn, Mount Ivy, and Stony Point's forested areas face highest risk.
Open burning during NY March 16 - May 14 ban: violation under 6 NYCRR Part 215, fines $100 to $1,000 first offense, up to $11,500 for subsequent under ECL §71-0703. Violation of town brush/fire prevention chapter: $100 to $1,500. Reckless fire-causing wildfire: criminal charges under NY Penal §240.05 and civil restitution for suppression costs.
Rockland County, NY
Rockland County has no countywide leaf blower ordinance. Town/village noise codes apply: Clarkstown, Orangetown, and Nyack restrict gas blowers to 8 AM to 6 ...
Rockland County, NY
RV and boat parking in Rockland County residential zones is regulated by local zoning codes. Most towns including Clarkstown, Ramapo, and Orangetown permit s...
Rockland County, NY
Rockland County towns require building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet per the NY Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Clarkstown, Ramapo, and ...
Rockland County, NY
Rockland County pool barriers must comply with NY Uniform Code §326.4 and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. Barriers must be 48 inches minimum wi...
Rockland County, NY
Rockland County allows hens in NYC but roosters are banned. Coops must meet health standards. Livestock prohibited in most residential zones. NYC Health Code...
Rockland County, NY
Beekeeping is regulated at the town level in Rockland County. Most towns permit hives on residential lots over a certain size (typically 10,000 sq ft) with s...
See how Rockland County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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