The Ulster County burn ban follows New York’s statewide prohibition on open burning of brush and yard debris from March 16 through May 14 every year, and several towns and villages in the county add their own stricter rules on top of it.1New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Open Burning A first violation starts at $500 and can reach $18,000, so the local layer matters as much as the state one.2New York State Senate. New York Environmental Conservation Law 71-2103 – Violations
When the Spring Ban Is in Effect
From March 16 through May 14, you cannot burn brush, downed limbs, branches, leaves, or any other yard debris on residential property anywhere in New York, including every town, village, and city in Ulster County.1New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Open Burning The window covers roughly eight weeks of peak wildfire risk, and it applies regardless of weather, recent rain, or how small the pile is.
What You Can Never Burn
Some materials are banned year-round, in every part of the state, with no exceptions for season or location. You cannot burn trash, household garbage, tires, plastics, pressure-treated or painted wood, plywood, particle board, or any synthetic material in an open fire. The prohibition applies whether the fire is in the open or in a burn barrel.1New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Open Burning Burning any of these counts as a separate violation from the seasonal brush ban.
What Stays Legal Outside the Ban Period
Once May 15 arrives, brush burning becomes legal again — but only in towns with a total population under 20,000, and only for downed limbs and branches less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length that were generated on your own property.3Cornell Law Institute. 6 NYCRR 215.3 – Exceptions and Restricted Burning Most Ulster County towns clear the population threshold, but the count includes villages inside the town. Burning is never allowed inside any village, even when the surrounding town qualifies.
Campfires and Cooking Fires
Small campfires and cooking fires are allowed year-round, including during the spring ban. The fire has to stay under three feet in height and under four feet in length, width, or diameter. Only charcoal or untreated wood may be used as fuel, and someone has to stay with the fire until it is fully out.3Cornell Law Institute. 6 NYCRR 215.3 – Exceptions and Restricted Burning “Untreated” means wood that has not been chemically treated, coated, stained, sealed, or glued, which rules out pressure-treated lumber, plywood, and stained boards.4New York State Senate. 6 NYCRR Part 215 Express Terms
Agricultural Burning
Working farms with contiguous agricultural land over five acres can burn organic agricultural waste generated on that land at any time of year, including during the spring ban, as long as the material burns fully within 24 hours. The rule treats vines, orchard trimmings, stubble, paper feed bags, and wood shavings used for bedding as agricultural waste, but excludes pesticide containers, fertilizer bags, plastic feed bags, and large plastic storage bags.4New York State Senate. 6 NYCRR Part 215 Express Terms Even permitted agricultural fires cannot create a smoke nuisance for neighbors or reduce visibility on a road.
Ceremonial and Specialized Fires
Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires, including proper disposal of flags or religious items, are allowed year-round when only charcoal or untreated wood is used. DEC approves controlled burns for invasive species management case by case through its regional offices, and prescribed forest burns can proceed under DEC supervision. Fire training exercises on acquired structures follow guidance from the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control.1New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Open Burning
Local Rules in Ulster County
New York law lets towns, villages, cities, and counties set burning rules stricter than the state regulation, and several Ulster County municipalities have done so. The rules vary sharply from one place to the next, so the state calendar is only your starting point.5Ulster County. Controlled Burn Reporting
The following places prohibit open burning entirely, regardless of season:
- City of Kingston
- Village of Ellenville
- Village of New Paltz
- Town of Saugerties and Village of Saugerties
Other towns require a local permit for any controlled burn, even outside the spring ban. The office that issues the permit differs by town: Gardiner routes requests through the Town Clerk, Majestic Hardware, or a DEC Ranger; Esopus goes through the local fire chief; Rosendale uses the Fire Marshall; Shawangunk uses a Fire Warden. A few towns, including Hurley, Marbletown, Town of New Paltz, and Plattekill, do not require a local permit at all.5Ulster County. Controlled Burn Reporting Call your town office before lighting anything.
Catskill Park Towns
If your town falls wholly or partly within the Catskill Park, DEC requires a separate burn permit for brush burning even outside the spring ban. In Ulster County that covers Denning, Gardiner, Hardenburgh, Olive, Rochester, Shandaken, Shawangunk, Wawarsing, and Woodstock.5Ulster County. Controlled Burn Reporting Some of these towns add their own layers. Olive and Rochester, for instance, prohibit burning on Sundays.
Penalties for Violations
Open burning violations fall under Article 19 of the Environmental Conservation Law. A first offense carries a civil penalty between $500 and $18,000, plus up to $15,000 for each day the violation continues. A second or later violation can reach $26,000, plus up to $22,500 per day of continued violation.2New York State Senate. New York Environmental Conservation Law 71-2103 – Violations These are civil penalties recovered through an action brought by the Attorney General.
DEC Forest Rangers are sworn police officers with authority to enforce all state laws and are the primary enforcers on and around state lands.6New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Forest Rangers Environmental Conservation Officers also patrol for violations. A property owner whose illegal fire requires an emergency response can also be billed for suppression costs, which can run well above the base fine depending on the resources deployed.
Reporting Illegal Burning
The fastest route is the DEC’s 24-hour environmental violations hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267). You can also email DEC dispatch at Central.Dispatch@dec.ny.gov or reach the Environmental Conservation Officer for your area through the regional office directory.7New York State. Report an Environmental Violation If a fire is actively spreading or threatening buildings, call 911 first.