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 | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Allen | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Ashland | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Ashtabula | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Athens | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Auglaize | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Belmont | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Brown | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Butler | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Carroll | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Champaign | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Clark | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Clermont | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Clinton | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Columbiana | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Coshocton | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Crawford | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Cuyahoga | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Darke | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Defiance | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Delaware | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Erie | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Fairfield | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Fayette | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Franklin | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Fulton | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Gallia | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Geauga | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Greene | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Guernsey | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Hamilton | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Hancock | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Hardin | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Harrison | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Henry | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Highland | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Hocking | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Holmes | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Huron | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Jackson | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Jefferson | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Knox | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Lake | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Lawrence | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Licking | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Logan | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Lorain | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Lucas | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Madison | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Mahoning | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Marion | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Medina | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Meigs | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Mercer | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Miami | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Monroe | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Montgomery | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Morgan | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Morrow | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Muskingum | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Noble | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Ottawa | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Paulding | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Perry | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Pickaway | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Pike | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Portage | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Preble | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Putnam | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Richland | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Ross | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Sandusky | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Scioto | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Seneca | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Shelby | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Stark | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Summit | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Trumbull | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Tuscarawas | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Union | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Van Wert | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Vinton | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Warren | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Washington | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Wayne | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Williams | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Wood | Partial Restrictions | — |
| Wyandot | Partial 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 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.