Burn bans in Ohio
Ohio Revised Code §1503.18 sets a statewide seasonal restriction: outside municipal corporations, no open burning is permitted between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM during March, April, May, October and November. This is a permanent statute, not an executive order.
Outside Municipal Corporations. City limits are governed by local ordinance.
Restricted hours: 06:00 – 18:00 local time
All counties in Ohio
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | No Restrictions | — |
| Allen | No Restrictions | — |
| Ashland | No Restrictions | — |
| Ashtabula | No Restrictions | — |
| Athens | No Restrictions | — |
| Auglaize | No Restrictions | — |
| Belmont | No Restrictions | — |
| Brown | No Restrictions | — |
| Butler | No Restrictions | — |
| Carroll | No Restrictions | — |
| Champaign | No Restrictions | — |
| Clark | No Restrictions | — |
| Clermont | No Restrictions | — |
| Clinton | No Restrictions | — |
| Columbiana | No Restrictions | — |
| Coshocton | No Restrictions | — |
| Crawford | No Restrictions | — |
| Cuyahoga | No Restrictions | — |
| Darke | No Restrictions | — |
| Defiance | No Restrictions | — |
| Delaware | No Restrictions | — |
| Erie | No Restrictions | — |
| Fairfield | No Restrictions | — |
| Fayette | No Restrictions | — |
| Franklin | No Restrictions | — |
| Fulton | No Restrictions | — |
| Gallia | No Restrictions | — |
| Geauga | No Restrictions | — |
| Greene | No Restrictions | — |
| Guernsey | No Restrictions | — |
| Hamilton | No Restrictions | — |
| Hancock | No Restrictions | — |
| Hardin | No Restrictions | — |
| Harrison | No Restrictions | — |
| Henry | No Restrictions | — |
| Highland | No Restrictions | — |
| Hocking | No Restrictions | — |
| Holmes | No Restrictions | — |
| Huron | No Restrictions | — |
| Jackson | No Restrictions | — |
| Jefferson | No Restrictions | — |
| Knox | No Restrictions | — |
| Lake | No Restrictions | — |
| Lawrence | No Restrictions | — |
| Licking | No Restrictions | — |
| Logan | No Restrictions | — |
| Lorain | No Restrictions | — |
| Lucas | No Restrictions | — |
| Madison | No Restrictions | — |
| Mahoning | No Restrictions | — |
| Marion | No Restrictions | — |
| Medina | No Restrictions | — |
| Meigs | No Restrictions | — |
| Mercer | No Restrictions | — |
| Miami | No Restrictions | — |
| Monroe | No Restrictions | — |
| Montgomery | No Restrictions | — |
| Morgan | No Restrictions | — |
| Morrow | No Restrictions | — |
| Muskingum | No Restrictions | — |
| Noble | No Restrictions | — |
| Ottawa | No Restrictions | — |
| Paulding | No Restrictions | — |
| Perry | No Restrictions | — |
| Pickaway | No Restrictions | — |
| Pike | No Restrictions | — |
| Portage | No Restrictions | — |
| Preble | No Restrictions | — |
| Putnam | No Restrictions | — |
| Richland | No Restrictions | — |
| Ross | No Restrictions | — |
| Sandusky | No Restrictions | — |
| Scioto | No Restrictions | — |
| Seneca | No Restrictions | — |
| Shelby | No Restrictions | — |
| Stark | No Restrictions | — |
| Summit | No Restrictions | — |
| Trumbull | No Restrictions | — |
| Tuscarawas | No Restrictions | — |
| Union | No Restrictions | — |
| Van Wert | No Restrictions | — |
| Vinton | No Restrictions | — |
| Warren | No Restrictions | — |
| Washington | No Restrictions | — |
| Wayne | No Restrictions | — |
| Williams | No Restrictions | — |
| Wood | No Restrictions | — |
| Wyandot | No Restrictions | — |
How Ohio decides
- The rule is a permanent statute — the ban recurs the same weeks every year.
- Applies outside municipal corporations. Inside city limits, check local ordinance.
- The Chief of the Division of Forestry may broaden the restrictions; the Governor may issue an emergency executive order.
Penalties in Ohio
A violation of ORC §1503.18 is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. If the fire escapes and destroys property, penalties escalate.
Classification: Fourth-degree misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $250
Common questions about Ohio burn bans
Is there a burn ban in Ohio right now?
No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Ohio Revised Code §1503.18 for Ohio. The statewide ORC §1503.18 rule may still restrict burning during certain windows. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.
How does Ohio issue a burn ban?
Ohio Revised Code §1503.18 sets a statewide seasonal restriction: outside municipal corporations, no open burning is permitted between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM during March, April, May, October and November. This is a permanent statute, not an executive order.
When is the Ohio burning restriction in effect?
March 1 through May 31 and October 1 through November 30, between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM local time. Today the rule is not in effect.
What are the penalties for violating a burn ban in Ohio?
A violation of ORC §1503.18 is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. If the fire escapes and destroys property, penalties escalate.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by Ohio Revised Code §1503.18. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When Ohio Revised Code §1503.18 does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.