Fire Regulations in Sun Prairie, WI

If you live in Sun Prairie or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Sun Prairie has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Outdoor fireplaces and fixed fire pits are two of the enumerated exceptions to Sun Prairie's open burning ban, but the city's amended IFC Section 307 attaches its own setback, screening and supervision rules on top of the general burning conditions.

Key details: Setback (fireplace): 10 ft from building/lot line. Setback (fixed device): 15 ft from combustible construction. Fuel: Dry wood only in outdoor fireplaces. Commercial devices: Operational permit + design review required. Timer cap: 60 minutes, auto gas shutoff.

Fire features that skip the required screening, setbacks or supervision, or that a commercial or multi-family property installs without submitting the design drawings and operational permit required under amended Section 307(6), are treated as unpermitted open burning. Title 19 sets a general forfeiture of not less than ten dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for any fire code violation without its own stated penalty, per Section 19.02.030, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.

Outdoor Burning

Open burning is banned across the City of Sun Prairie by default. The city's amended IFC Section 307 allows it only for agricultural land, registered prairie and lawn restoration burns, outdoor fireplaces, cooking fires and fixed fire features, each carrying its own weather and safety conditions.

Key details: Default rule: Open burning prohibited citywide. Structure setback: 50 ft minimum. Air quality block: No burning unless AQI is Good. Drought block: No burning in Severe/Extreme/Exceptional drought. Prairie burn permit fee: $50, Fire Chief issued.

Open burning outside the enumerated exceptions, or a permitted burn conducted without the required attendance, setback or weather conditions, is a fire code violation. Title 19's general penalty in Section 19.02.030 sets a forfeiture of not less than ten dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for violations without a specified penalty, with every day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Sun Prairie actively enforces its outdoor burning requirements.

Fireworks

Sun Prairie repealed its old fireworks chapter in 2024 and now regulates fireworks through its own amendments to IFC Section 5601: recreational fireworks like sparklers and caps can be sold and used, but retail sale needs a non-renewing $100 permit filed thirty days in advance.

Key details: Retail permit fee: $100, non-renewing. Application lead time: 30 days before sale. Storage limit: 50 lbs within 100 ft of dwelling. Old ordinance: Ch. 8.16 repealed by Ord. 947 (2024). Public display penalty: $250-$1,000 forfeiture, Sec. 5608.

Selling recreational fireworks at retail without the $100 permit, or storing more than fifty pounds within one hundred feet of a dwelling or public building, violates Section 19.03.020's amendment to IFC Section 5601. Where Title 19 does not set a specific penalty, Section 19.02.030's general forfeiture of ten dollars to one thousand dollars applies, with each day of violation a separate offense; public fireworks displays without the separate Section 5608 permit carry their own $250 to $1,000 forfeiture.

The Bottom Line

Sun Prairie's fire regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Sun Prairie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Sun Prairie 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.