Fire Regulations in Albuquerque, NM (2026)
8 verified fire regulations for Albuquerque, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Permanently installed outdoor fireplaces, permanent outdoor recreational fire rings, barbecue pits and portable fireplaces are exempt from the open-burning permit under Albuquerque Fire Code Section 307.2 Exception 2. They must still follow recreational-fire setbacks and may not be used during a declared burn ban.
Fire pits, fire rings and barbecue pits allowed
Some RestrictionsCity of Albuquerque Fire Code (adopted IFC, Exhibit A), Secs. 3302 (definition) & 307.2 Exception 2
PERMANENT OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FIRE RING. An area close to the surface of the ground that is ringed by brick, rock or other noncombustible material and imbedded in concrete. ... 307.2 Permit required. ... Exception: ... 2. Burning in permanently installed outdoor fireplaces, permanent outdoor recreational fire rings, barbeque pits, and portable fire places.
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 ...
Brush Clearance
Albuquerque requires defensible space clearance of flammable vegetation within 30 feet of structures in designated wildland-urban interface zones under AFR fire code and ROA 1994 Chapter 14.
Albuquerque Brush Clearance
Heavy RestrictionsOutdoor 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
Albuquerque designates Wildland-Urban Interface zones along the Sandia foothills and Bosque under the International WUI Code, triggering strict construction and defensible space rules.
Albuquerque Wildfire Zones
Heavy RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Albuquerque requires hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level per the 2018 IRC and AFR fire code.
Albuquerque Smoke Detector Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard 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...
Propane Storage
Albuquerque enforces the International Fire Code and NFPA 58 for propane storage, limiting residential cylinder size, mandating setbacks from buildings, and requiring permits for larger tanks.
Albuquerque Propane Storage Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Bernalillo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albuquerque city rules.
Fire Regulations in Bernalillo County →