As of August 1, 2021, Sanibel Fire & Rescue District will be enforcing Florida’s Open Burning Regulations, to meet the permanent ordinances of the City of Sanibel, Florida.

Permanent Ordinances of the City of Sanibel, Florida, Section 34-81 states, It shall be unlawful to light or maintain any open fire anywhere in the city. The term "fire" as used in this section shall not be construed to mean or include a fire in a furnace, stove, boiler, or fireplace inside or on the outside premises of a building, a fire in a lantern or gaslight, or a fire used to light a cigarette, cigar or tobacco pipe.

Provisions are set in place to allow for exceptions. Permanent Ordinances of the City of Sanibel, Florida, Section 34, Article III states, A campfire or other fire used solely for recreational purposes if a permit is secured from the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District. Beach Campfire Permits are excluded from the provisions stated here in the Open Burning Regulations. Beach Campfire regulations can be found on the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District website. Beach Campfire Permits are issued from November 1st thru February 14th each year.

I lieu of an Open Burning Permit the following guidelines issued by the Florida’s Forest Fire Laws and Open Burning Regulations in NFPA 1, will be the sole responsibility of the appropriate agency, the owner, or owners authorized agent, to comply with. In the event an individual has violated these provisions, the Permanent Ordinances of the City of Sanibel, Florida, or any rule adopted by the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District, shall be liable for all damages caused such as violation, which damages shall be recoverable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The civil liability attaches whether or not there is a criminal prosecution or conviction.

These guidelines are solely intended for the appropriate agency, the owner, or owners authorized agent, for households on Sanibel Island within the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District. Visitors must make appropriate arrangements with the appropriate agency, the owner, or owners authorized agent, to maintain any open fire anywhere with the City of Sanibel or the Sanibel Fire & Rescue District. Moreover, any association, condo, or townhome may choose to restrict open burning on their premises.

Please review and follow:

10.10.1.1 Permits shall not be required for cooking and recreational fires.

Where burning is conducted on public or property of someone other than the person conducting the burning.  Permission must be obtained and demonstrated by the appropriate agency, the owner, or owners authorized agent.

10.10.2 The AHJ shall have the authority to prohibit any or all open flames, candles and open recreational, and cooking fires or other sources of ignition, or establish special regulations on the use of any form of fire or smoking material where circumstances make such conditions hazardous.

10.10.3.1 Outdoor fires shall not be built, ignited, or maintained in or upon hazardous fire areas, except by permit from AHJ.

10.10.3.2 Permanent barbeques, portable barbeques, outdoor fireplaces, or grills shall not be used for disposal of rubbish, thrash, or combustible waste material.

10.10.4.2 Burning hours shall be prescribed by the AHJ.

10.10.4.3 Recreational fires shall not be located within 25 ft. of a structure or combustible material unless contained in an approved manner.

10.10.4.4 Conditions that could cause a fire to spread to within 25 ft. of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

10.10.5.1 Open, recreational, and cooking fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person until such fire is extinguished.

10.10.5.2 This person shall have a garden hose connected to the water supply or other fire-extinguishing equipment readily available.

10.10.10 Discontinuance.  The AHJ shall be authorized to require any fire to be immediately discontinued if the fire to constitute a hazardous condition.