Fire Regulations in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational fires are allowed without a permit if kept at least 25 feet from structures with fuel no larger than 3 ft x 3 ft, while bonfires require a permit and must stay 50 feet from any structure (Albuquerque Fire Code 307.2 and 307.4.1). All backyard burning is suspended during a declared burn ban.
Recreational fires and bonfires limited; 50-ft bonfire rule
Some RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque Fire Code (adopted IFC, Exhibit A), Sec. 307.4.1
307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. When, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for public safety due to the size, locati...
Fireworks
Albuquerque bans the aerial devices and ground audible devices it is allowed to prohibit under New Mexico's Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act. Fire Code Section 3309.1 prohibits possession, storage, sale and use of aerial spinners, helicopters, missile- and stick-type rockets, Roman candles, chasers (bottle rockets) and firecrackers citywide.
Aerial and ground-audible fireworks banned in Albuquerque
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque Fire Code (adopted IFC, Exhibit A), Secs. 3309.1 & 3309.6.1
3309.1 General. The possession, storage, sales, handling and, use of 1.4G consumer fireworks shall comply with IFC Chapter 33, NFPA 1124, and Chapter 60, Article 2C NMSA 1978 also cited as the "Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act" except for the following fireworks listed under 60-2C-7 of this act shall be prohibited from, possession, storage, sale and use in the City of Albuquerque: (1) Aerial ...
Outdoor Burning
Albuquerque Fire Code Section 307.1 prohibits open burning, recreational fires, bonfires, rubbish fires and open-burning operations except as allowed by the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board and the Fire Code. Limited dead-and-dry weed removal is allowed without a permit if it meets strict setback, pile-size, wind, and time-of-day conditions.
Open burning prohibited except limited weed/vegetation burns
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque Fire Code (adopted IFC, Exhibit A), Secs. 307.1 & 307.2 Exception 1
307.1 General. Open Burning, recreational fires, bonfires, rubbish fires and open burning operations are prohibited except as provided by the Albuquerque - Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board and this section. ... Exception: 1. Burning of dead and dry weed removal on private residential, commercial or industrial property, and hot torch weed control, which comply with all the following: ...
Wildfire Zones
The Fire Chief can declare fire bans and staged restrictions across Albuquerque's 28,000-acre wildland-urban interface, the Bosque, open space, and city-owned wildlands, whenever high winds, drought, and low humidity push fire danger up.
Albuquerque Wildfire Zone Fire Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Albuquerque §§ 9-19-1, 9-19-3
(A) The City of Albuquerque has unique wildland urban interface areas comprised of the Bosque Areas of the Rio Grande State Park, open space recreational areas and wildland areas that consist of 28,000 acres and over 100 miles of public-private border... The Fire Chief is hereby authorized during periods of increased fire danger in the city, both seasonal and unexpected...to issue fire restri...
Smoke Detectors
Albuquerque's Allan Peifer Smoke Detector Ordinance, City Code Sec. 9-13-4, requires every owner or lessor of a leased dwelling unit to install operable smoke detectors before a tenant moves in and to give written notice of the requirement in the lease. Once occupancy starts, the tenant must keep the detector working; the Fire Chief and Housing Code Enforcement issue citations for noncompliance.
Albuquerque Smoke Detector Law for Rentals
Some RestrictionsAlbuquerque Code of Ordinances § 9-13-4
A smoke detector or detectors shall be installed in all dwelling units that are occupied by persons who are leasing or renting the dwelling unit from an owner or lessor. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property and the lessor of the dwelling unit to install the smoke detector(s). The owner or lessor shall provide a copy of this ordinance, or shall provide notice as part of th...
Looking for Bernalillo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albuquerque city rules.
Fire Regulations in Bernalillo County →