Open Burning

Open burning is any set outdoor fire that does not vent to a chimney or stack. Some studies indicate that even small camp fires burning clean wood can emit harmful chemicals. Burning "unclean" materials can be even more hazardous. For example, when you burn refuse in burn barrels or open piles, the potential cost to your health, your home, your neighbors and your environment far exceeds the price of adequate collection services. Protect yourself, your neighbors and your wallet by knowing what you can burn and where.

There are some instances when Ohio EPA does not need to be notified or provide approval of open burning activities. However, you may have an obligation to notify or get permission from Ohio EPA before burning materials outside depending on the materials burned, the location of the burn, and the activity associated with the burn. Ohio EPA has developed a notification form [DOC], [PDF] that you can use to help make sure you are in compliance with legal notification requirements. Ohio EPA has also developed a form for requesting permission to conduct open burning [DOC], [PDF] when permission is required by law. You will find more information below about open burning, your responsibilities, and helpful contact information if you need guidance or clarifications of what the requirements are in your area.

Open burning can release many kinds of toxic fumes. Leaves and plant materials send aloft millions of spores when they catch fire, causing many people with allergies to have difficulty breathing. The pollutants released by open burning also make it more difficult to meet health-based air quality standards, especially in or near large cities. The gases released by open burning can also corrode metal siding and damage paint on buildings.

Burning household waste produces many toxic chemicals and is one of the largest known sources of dioxin in the nation. Other air pollutants from open burning include particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead and mercury. These pollutants have been linked to several health problems, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, nervous system damage, kidney and liver damage, and reproductive or developmental disorders.

To see a general summary of areas where open burning is permitted, click here. For more complete information, including special allowances for firefighter training, disposal of certain ignitable or explosive materials, and recognized horticultural, silvicultural, range, or wildlife management practices please be sure to consult the open burning regulations found in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3745-19 or contact the appropriate staff member listed below.

• Burning Down the House -- This fact sheet details the steps fire departments must take to minimize the potential impact to human health and the environment and ensure compliance with Ohio’s rules when they are legally burning structures as part of a supervised fire training exercise.

Under Ohio law, these materials may not be burned anywhere in the state at any time:

• garbage,any wastes created in the process of handling, preparing, cooking or consuming food;
• materials containing rubber, grease and asphalt or made from petroleum, such as tires, cars and auto parts, plastics or plastic- coated wire; and
• dead animals.

Other restrictions:

• Open burning is not allowed when air pollution warnings, alerts or emergencies are in effect.
• Fires cannot obscure visibility for roadways, railroad tracks or air fields
• No wastes generated off the premises may be burned. For example, a tree trimming contractor may not haul branches and limbs to another site to burn.

Under certain circumstances, yes. However, to burn a prohibited material or set a fire in a restricted area, you must receive written permission from Ohio EPA before you begin burning. This may take two weeks.

Yes. However, local ordinances cannot be less strict than the state law.

• Community Guide to Open Burning [PDF]

What happens if I'm caught illegally open burning?

Ohio EPA has the authority to enforce the state's open burning laws. Violations can result in substantial penalties. If you have any questions, or would like to report a suspected open burning incident, contact your Ohio EPA district office or your local air pollution control agency. Ohio EPA is represented by five district offices and nine local air agencies. For the appropriate contact, please see the list below.

• Open Burning Regulations - Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3745-19

Central Office Contact - Paul Braun (614) 644-3734

COUNTY	CONTACT	PHONE
Adams	Robert McCann	(740) 353-5156
Allen	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Ashland	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Ashtabula	Rich Kolosionek	(330) 963-1241
Athens	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Auglaize	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Belmont	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Brown	Robert McCann	(740) 353-5156
Butler	Michael Fair	(513) 946-7711
Carroll	Darren Machuga	(330) 963-1287
Champaign	Terry Sanner	(937) 285-6063
Clark	Jason Simon	(937) 496-6751
Clermont	Michael Fair	(513) 946-7711
Clinton	Terry Sanner	(937) 285-6063
Columbiana	Darren Machuga	(330) 963-1287
Coshocton	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Crawford	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Cuyahoga	George Baker	(216) 664-4010
Darke	Christine Swetz	(937) 496-7541
Defiance	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Delaware	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Erie	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Fairfield	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Fayette	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Franklin	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Fulton	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Gallia	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Geauga	Lake County General Health District
Greene	Jason Simon	(937) 496-6751
Guernsey	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Hamilton	Michael Fair	(513) 946-7711
Hancock	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Hardin	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Harrison	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Henry	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Highland	Terry Sanner	(937) 285-6063
Hocking	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Holmes	Frank Elchesen	(330) 963-1209
Huron	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Jackson	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Jefferson	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Knox	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Lake	Lake County General Health District
Lawrence	Robert McCann	(740) 353-5156
Licking	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Logan	Terry Sanner	(937) 285-6063
Lorain	Frank Elchesen	(330) 963-1209
Lucas	Lynn Pedro	(419) 936-3767
Madison	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Mahoning	M-TAPCA	(330) 743-3333
Marion	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Medina	Debbie Wallen	(330) 812-3945
Meigs	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Mercer	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Miami	Jason Simon	(937) 496-6751
Monroe	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Montgomery	Jason Simon	(937) 496-6751
Morgan	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Morrow	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Muskingum	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Noble	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Ottawa	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Paulding	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Perry	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Pickaway	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Pike	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Portage	Debbie Wallen	(330) 812-3945
Preble	Jason Simon	(937) 496-6751
Putnam	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Richland	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Ross	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Sandusky	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Scioto	Robert McCann	(740) 353-5156
Seneca	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Shelby	Terry Sanner	(937) 285-6063
Stark	Denny Tan	(330) 489-3385
Summit	Debbie Wallen	(330) 812-3945
Trumbull	M-TAPCA	(330) 743-3333
Tuscarawas	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Union	Dave Burroughs	(614) 728-3808
Van Wert	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Vinton	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Warren	Michael Fair	(513) 946-7711
Washington	Applications/Notifications
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
	Complaints
	Lisa Duvall	(740) 380-5217
Wayne	Frank Elchesen	(330) 963-1209
Williams	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Wood	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137
Wyandot	Thomas Cikotte	(419) 373-3137