Fire Regulations in Arvada, CO

Arvada maintains 140 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with fire regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Arvada falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Wildfire Zones

Arvada may have wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space around structures, fire-resistant building materials, and vegetation management.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Arvada lets residents build a recreational fire, including a charcoal grill, barbeque pit, or fire pit, without a permit if the fuel area stays within 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Under Article III's fire-restriction framework, a fire pit is allowed at least 30 feet from an undeveloped area during a Stage 1 restriction but is barred entirely once a Stage 2 fire ban takes effect.

Key details: Recreational fire size cap: 3 feet diameter, 2 feet height. Stage 1 fire pit setback: More than 30 feet from undeveloped area. Stage 2 fire ban: Wood/charcoal fire pits banned outright. Declaring authority: City Manager on AFPD recommendation. Penalty: Fine or imprisonment under Code § 1-5.

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a recreational fire that exceeds the exceptions in effect, such as a fire pit closer than 30 feet to an undeveloped area during Stage 1 or any wood or charcoal fire during a Stage 2 ban, is unlawful under Sections 42-114 and 42-115. Section 42-117 sets the penalty at a fine or imprisonment not to exceed the limits in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code, and a peace officer may issue a summons and complaint under Section 42-116.

Propane Storage

Arvada caps liquefied petroleum gas storage under Fire Code Section 42-91: the aggregate water capacity of any one LP-gas installation cannot exceed 2,000 gallons within the geographic limits the code establishes for populated areas. LP-gas storage is not on the short list of operations still requiring a separate fire operational permit, but the 2,000-gallon cap and Fire Code Chapter 61 standards still apply.

Key details: Aggregate LP-gas cap: 2,000 gallons water capacity per installation. Governing section: Arvada City Code § 42-91 (IFC 6104.2). Local operational permit: Not required for LP-gas under § 42-35. Grill exception: 20-lb LP container allowed on combustible decks. Penalty: Fine/imprisonment under § 1-5, continuing offense.

Exceeding the 2,000-gallon aggregate capacity for an LP-gas installation, or otherwise violating Chapter 61 storage and spacing requirements, is a fire code violation under Section 110.4: punishable by a fine or imprisonment not to exceed the limits set in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code. Each day the violation continues after the fire code official gives notice counts as a separate offense, and a stop-work order can also be issued.

Outdoor Burning

Arvada's Article III fire-restrictions ordinance makes it unlawful to build, maintain, attend, or use a recreational or open fire anywhere in the city once Stage 1 fire restrictions or a Stage 2 fire ban takes effect. Restrictions trigger automatically when Jefferson County declares a ban within 15 miles of the city's boundary, and the city manager can also declare, modify, or stay restrictions on the Arvada Fire Protection District's recommendation.

Key details: County trigger distance: Within 15 miles of city boundary. Declaring authority: City Manager, on AFPD recommendation. Stage 1 exceptions: 9 listed acts, e.g. contained fires 30+ ft away. Stage 2 exceptions: Narrowed to gas appliances, pellet grills, chainsaws. Penalty: Fine or imprisonment under Code § 1-5.

Section 42-116 lets a peace officer issue a summons and complaint for any violation of the fire-restriction article, and for an unattended or abandoned location, the summons must be posted on the premises and mailed by certified mail to the owner or occupant's last known address. Section 42-117 sets the penalty at a fine or imprisonment not to exceed the limits established in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code.

Compared to other cities, Arvada takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Fireworks

Arvada bans possessing, manufacturing, storing, selling, handling, or using fireworks citywide except as the International Fire Code allows. Arvada City Code § 62-43 also makes property owners and event hosts strictly liable if they let anyone set off or possess fireworks on property they control, with no mental-state defense required.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 62-43. Rule: Possession/use of fireworks banned citywide. Exception: Only what International Fire Code allows. Social host liability: Strict liability, no mental state needed. Last amended: Ordinance No. 4844, June 5, 2023.

Possessing, storing, selling, or setting off prohibited fireworks anywhere in Arvada violates § 62-43(b). A property owner or event host who allows fireworks use on land they control is strictly liable under § 62-43(c)-(d), regardless of whether they knew about it, unless a multifamily-tenant or city-display exception in § 62-43(e) applies.

This is one of the stricter rules in Arvada's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Arvada is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Arvada, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Arvada can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.