Quick answer: New York bans most open burning, but in towns under 20,000 people you may burn downed limbs and branches under 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet long on your own property between May 15 and March 15 (never in a village), under 6 NYCRR 215.3. Untreated firewood can't be moved more than 50 miles from its source. For big cleanups, a roll-off dumpster or junk removal crew is usually the fastest option. Heavy loads like stumps and soil need a smaller container.
Spring cleanups, a storm that brings down a big limb, or clearing an overgrown lot in Monroe, Warwick or Chester can leave you with far more brush than your town's curbside pickup will take. Here's how New York's rules work and the practical options for getting rid of it.
Can You Burn Brush in Orange County?
New York's open-burning rule, 6 NYCRR 215.3, prohibits most open fires statewide, including burning household trash. There's a limited exception for brush: in a town with a total population under 20,000, you may burn downed limbs and branches (including branches with attached leaves or needles) less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length, on your own property, between May 15 and March 15. A town's population count includes any villages inside it, and the rule says it doesn't allow burning within any village. Outside the May 15 to March 15 window, even qualifying brush can't be burned.
That means it depends on where you live. Several Orange County towns are above 20,000 people, and villages like Monroe, Chester, Goshen, Warwick and Washingtonville are off-limits for brush burning. Check your town's population and any local burn ordinances, and ask the local fire department before you light anything. Stumps, lumber, leaves on their own, and treated or painted wood aren't covered by the exception.
Moving Firewood and Logs
If you're cutting a downed tree into firewood, keep it close to home. New York's firewood rule, 6 NYCRR 192.5, says untreated firewood can't be moved more than 50 miles from its source, and untreated firewood can't be brought into the state. The rule exists to slow invasive pests like the emerald ash borer. Firewood you cut on your own property for your own use stays within that limit as long as it stays nearby.
Composting and Mulching
Leaves, grass clippings and small twigs are good compost material. The EPA's composting guide describes a balance of carbon-rich "browns" such as dry leaves and branches, nitrogen-rich "greens" such as grass clippings, water and air. Chipping branches into mulch is another way to keep material on your property. Many towns also run leaf pickup or brush collection days, so check your town or village website before renting anything.
When a Dumpster Makes Sense
- Lot clearing and overgrown yards: shrubs, vines, small trees and brush piles fill space fast. A 20-yard is a common choice for a big yard cleanup.
- Storm limbs: when a downed tree is more than your town's pickup will take. Cut limbs into manageable lengths so they lie flat.
- Mixed projects: removing an old shed, fence or deck along with landscaping debris.
- Stumps, rock and soil: these are very heavy. They usually need a smaller container to stay within weight limits, and some haulers want them in a separate load. Ask before you book.
Tell the hauler what's going in. Clean yard waste is sometimes handled differently from mixed debris, and the weight allowance matters with green, wet wood. See which dumpster size and residential dumpsters.
When Junk Removal Is Easier
If you have a single pile and don't want to load it yourself, a junk removal crew loads and hauls it in one visit. That's often simpler than a multi-day dumpster rental for a small job.
What Not to Mix In
- Bags of lawn chemicals, pesticides or fuel. Those are prohibited items; bring them to a county household hazardous waste event.
- Pressure-treated or painted lumber in a "clean yard waste" load. It counts as construction debris.
- Gas cans and small engines with fuel still in them.
Safety Tips for Brush Cleanup
- Leave large trees, and anything touching or near power lines, to a tree service or the utility.
- Wear gloves, eye protection and long sleeves. Poison ivy is common in Hudson Valley brush.
- Check piles for ticks, wasps and animals before you move them.
Questions
Can I burn brush in my yard in Orange County, NY?
Only in limited cases. Under 6 NYCRR 215.3, in towns under 20,000 people you may burn downed limbs and branches under 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet long on your own property between May 15 and March 15. Burning isn't allowed in villages or from March 16 to May 14. Check local rules first.
Can I put brush and branches in a dumpster?
Usually yes. Yard waste, branches and landscaping debris are generally allowed. Stumps, soil and rock are heavy and may need a smaller container or a separate load, so tell the hauler first.
How far can I move firewood in New York?
Untreated firewood can't be moved more than 50 miles from its source under 6 NYCRR 192.5, and untreated firewood can't be brought into New York.
What size dumpster do I need for yard waste?
For a big yard or lot cleanup, a 20-yard is common. For heavy material like stumps or soil, a 10-yard keeps the load within weight limits.
Sources
- 6 NYCRR 215.3, Open fires – general prohibitions and exceptions (Cornell LII)
- 6 NYCRR 192.5, Firewood restrictions to protect forests from invasive species (Cornell LII)
- U.S. EPA, Composting at Home
- Orange County, NY Division of Environmental Facilities & Services (transfer stations, tipping rates)
Disposal guide · Which dumpster size? · What can't go in a dumpster · Dumpster rental cost · Service areas
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