Burn Authorizations & Restrictions

Burning yard debris is prohibited within the City of Lakeland. Since September 1, 2016, the Florida Forest Service has managed burn authorizations. For more information, contact the Lakeland District Field Unit of the Florida Forest Service at (863) 940-6701 or visit their website.

Fires that do not require a Burn Authorization must comply with the Florida Fire Prevention Code’s guidelines for cooking or recreational fires. 

Guidelines for Cooking & Recreational Fires: 

• Must be non-commercial, no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height
• Fire must be attended to at all times by a competent person with water or fire-extinguishing equipment
• Keep fires 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from paved public roads, and 150 feet from neighbors
• Use only "clean wood" — yard debris and garbage are not allowed
• Illegal to burn treated lumber, plastics, rubber, tires, or household waste

Prohibited Materials for Burning

In Florida, the burning of biological waste, hazardous waste, asbestos-containing materials, mercury-containing devices, pharmaceuticals, tires, rubber materials, residual oil, used oil, asphalt, roofing material, tar, treated wood, plastics, garbage, or trash is not permitted.

Fire Department Authority

The Lakeland Fire Department has the authority to prohibit any fires deemed hazardous or that do not meet required standards. Fires that reduce visibility on roadways or at the airport to less than 1,000 feet, produce excessive smoke, or create a nuisance will be required to be extinguished. For any questions or concerns regarding fire regulations, please contact the Lakeland Fire Department.