Auburn's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Auburn, Washington, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Outdoor Burning

Auburn bans all outdoor fires unless they fall into a short, enumerated list, and even those require a written permit from the fire chief before ignition. ACC Chapter 8.32 leaves no general allowance for yard debris or bonfires without prior approval.

Key details: General rule: No outdoor fires except enumerated uses. Permit issuer: Fire chief or authorized agent. Vegetation burn window: February, April, October only. Attendance rule: Constant attendance until extinguished. BBQ exemption: Domestic cooking devices need no permit.

Burning without the required permit, burning outside the February/April/October vegetation window, or leaving any outdoor fire unattended is a civil infraction under ACC 8.32.070, enforced against the property owner or person who set the fire. Repeat or more serious conduct can be charged as a misdemeanor under ACC 1.25.050. The fire chief can order an immediate stop to any fire, permitted or not, when conditions turn hazardous.

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

Fireworks

Auburn limits legal fireworks discharge to 9 a.m.-11 p.m. on July 4th and 6 p.m. December 31st through 1 a.m. January 1st under ACC 8.24.020. Sales run only on a set June 28-July 4 schedule. A first violation is a $250 civil infraction, rising to a misdemeanor with jail time on a third offense within a year.

Key details: Discharge window (July 4): 9:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.. Discharge window (New Year's): 6:00 p.m. Dec 31-1:00 a.m. Jan 1. Sale window: June 28 noon through July 4. 1st offense penalty: Up to $250 civil infraction. 3rd offense penalty: Misdemeanor, 90 days/$1,000 fine.

A first fireworks conviction under ACC 8.24.020 is a civil infraction capped at $250; a second within 365 days rises to $500. A third or later conviction in the same 365-day window becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, and the city can also order a convicted retailer to stop selling fireworks for the rest of the year.

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

Propane Storage

Auburn's fire code amendment, ACC 15.36A.051, requires LP-gas containers of 125 gallons or more to be anchored or strapped against displacement and fitted with an approved earthquake shut-off valve, with containers of 2,000 gallons or more needing a licensed engineer's securing design.

Key details: Anchoring threshold: 125 gallons or larger. Engineer-design threshold: 2,000 gallons or larger. Seismic requirement: Approved earthquake shut-off device required. Retrofit trigger: Change of use, tank replaced/modified. Adopted by: Ord. 6813 (2021), IFC Sec. 6107.

Installing, maintaining or upgrading an LP-gas container in Auburn without the required anchoring, strapping or earthquake shut-off device violates ACC 15.36A.051 and is enforced as a misdemeanor under ACC 15.36A.071, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, with each 10-day period of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Auburn bans outdoor fires citywide except for religious or ceremonial fires, firefighting instruction, disease control, or bulky waste and vegetation disposal where no reasonable alternative exists, and every permitted fire needs a written permit from the fire chief. ACC 8.32.010 and 8.32.030 exempt ordinary domestic barbecues and outdoor cooking devices from that permit.

Key details: Governing sections: ACC 8.32.010, 8.32.030. Permit issuer: Auburn fire chief or designee. Barbecue exemption: No permit for domestic outdoor cooking devices. Attendance requirement: Constant attendance until fully extinguished. Vegetation burn permit months: February, April, October only.

Lighting an outdoor fire outside the permitted categories, or without the fire chief's written permit, is a civil infraction under ACC 8.32.070, punishable per ACC 1.25.050, and can rise to a misdemeanor under that same section. The fire chief can also order any fire extinguished immediately when conditions turn hazardous under ACC 8.32.050.

Compared to other cities, Auburn takes a harder line on fire pits & backyard fires. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Smoke Detectors

Auburn follows the 2021 IFC under ACC 15.36. Smoke alarms required in each bedroom, outside sleep areas, every level. CO alarms required in dwellings with fuel appliances per RCW 19.27.530.

Key details: Smoke Alarm Locations: Every bedroom and level. CO Alarm Law: RCW 19.27.530. Interconnected Required: New construction only. Free Program: VRFA with Red Cross. Landlord Duty: RCW 59.18.130.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Auburn actively enforces its smoke detectors requirements.

The Bottom Line

Auburn is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Auburn, 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 Auburn 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.