Fire Regulations in Orem, UT: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Orem or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Orem has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fireworks

Orem allows state-approved (class C / division 1.4G) consumer fireworks only on the dates and hours set by Utah Code 53-7-225, and city ordinance 7-2-8 plus an annual restriction map prohibit discharge within 100 feet of any undeveloped areas of the city and within 500 feet of any National Forest or BLM lands.

Key details: Code Section: Orem City Code 7-2-8; Utah Code 53-7-225. Near open space: Banned within 100 ft of undeveloped areas. Near federal land: Banned within 500 ft of National Forest / BLM land. Legal dates: July 2-5, July 22-25, Dec 31-Jan 1 (per state law).

Discharging fireworks outside the legal dates/times is a state infraction with a fine up to $1,000 (Utah Code 53-7-225(4)). Violating Orem City Code 7-2-8's location restrictions is a city offense subject to citation and seizure of the fireworks. Anyone who starts a fire with legal or illegal fireworks is liable for the full cost of firefighting and all resulting damage.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Orem actively enforces its fireworks requirements.

Backyard Fires

Small recreational backyard fires are allowed in Orem without a burn permit, but the adopted 2021 IFC requires a 25-foot clearance from structures and combustibles (15 feet for a portable outdoor fireplace), and a city burn permit is required to burn any forest, brush, range, grass, grain, stubble, or hay land under Orem City Code 7-2-11.

Key details: Code Section: 2021 IFC 307.4; Orem City Code 7-2-11. Recreational fire clearance: 25 ft from structures/combustibles. Permit trigger: Required for forest/brush/grass/grain/stubble/hay land. Supervision: Adult attendant with extinguishing equipment.

An out-of-clearance, oversized, or unattended recreational fire violates the adopted 2021 IFC and may be ordered extinguished by the fire official, with a citation possible. Starting a fire on brush, grass, range, or stubble land without the required 7-2-11 burn permit is a city violation, and the responsible party is liable for any escaped fire.

Fire Pit Rules

Orem's Fire Division allows backyard recreational fire pits year-round, but the fire pit diameter should not exceed 3 feet and the fire must be kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, attended by an adult, with a means of extinguishment on hand. The adopted 2021 IFC supplies the same clearance baseline.

Key details: Fire pit diameter: Should not exceed 3 feet. Clearance: At least 25 ft from structures/combustibles. Supervision: Constant adult supervision; extinguisher on hand. Fire authority: Orem Fire Division (801-229-7058).

Maintaining a recreational fire or fire pit inside the required clearance, or letting it become a hazard, is a violation of the adopted International Fire Code enforced by the Orem Fire Division; the fire official may order it extinguished and cite the responsible party under the city's adopted fire code penalty provisions.

Outdoor Burning

Open burning in Orem requires a burn permit from the Orem Fire Division and is only allowed during Utah's residential burn windows - roughly March 30-May 30 and Sept. 15-Oct. 30 - and only when the clearing index is 500 or higher. Burning anything related to property development, including trees and brush from clearing, is prohibited.

Key details: Code Section: Utah Admin. Code R307-202; Orem City Code 7-2-11. Spring window: ~March 30 - May 30 (state: Apr 1 - May 31). Fall window: ~Sept 15 - Oct 30 (state: Sept 15 - Oct 31). Clearing index: Must be 500 or higher to burn.

Burning without a valid permit, outside the burn windows, when the clearing index is below 500, or of prohibited materials violates Utah Admin. Code R307-202 and Orem City Code 7-2-11 and can result in a citation, permit revocation, and liability for any escaped fire. A voided permit (clearing index under 500) means burning that day is illegal.

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

The Bottom Line

Orem is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Orem, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Orem's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.