Fire Regulations in Bellevue, WA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Bellevue, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Bellevue lets residents burn recreational fires and use portable outdoor fireplaces without a permit, but recreational fires must stay 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and be constantly attended with an extinguisher on hand. Bonfires need a fire code permit and a 50-foot setback.
Bellevue Recreational Fire and Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.11.307.4.2, .4.1, .5
307.4 Location. The location for fires shall be as follows: 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 that could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. 307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires...
Fireworks
Bellevue bans igniting or discharging any fireworks anywhere in the city at any time under BCC 23.11.5608.2, the city's local amendment to the International Fire Code. The only exceptions are permitted public displays, approved religious-purpose uses, and state-defined trick, novelty, agricultural or wildlife fireworks. A separate section bars possessing or using fireworks in any city park without a parks permit.
Bellevue Fireworks Discharge Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBCC 23.11.5608.2 (Fire Code Sec. 5608.2, as amended)
5608.2 Fireworks Discharge Prohibited. No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks at any time. Exceptions: 1. Displays authorized by permit issued by the city pursuant to RCW 70.77.260(2) now or as hereafter amended; 2. Use by a group or individual for religious or other specific purposes on an approved date at an approved location pursuant to a permit issued pursuant to RCW 70.77.311(2)...
Brush Clearance
Bellevue requires owners and occupants to cut and remove weeds, grass, vines or other growth capable of igniting on both open lots and lots with an occupied or vacant dwelling. The rule sits in the fire code's vegetation section, BCC 23.11.304.1.2.
Bellevue Weed and Vegetation Fire Hazard Removal
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.11.304.1.2
Weeds, grass, vines or other growth that is capable of being ignited and endangering property, shall be cut down and removed by the owner or occupant on building lots that are either open or contain an occupied or vacant dwelling.
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is banned at all times in Bellevue under a permanent Puget Sound Clean Air Agency ban dating to September 1992, with narrow exceptions for bonfires, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces. Additional burn bans for air quality or fire danger suspend even those exceptions.
Bellevue Open Burning Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.11.307.1.1, .1.2
307.1.1 Prohibited open burning. Open burning shall be prohibited at all times in compliance with a permanent ban on open burning established by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in September of 1992. Exceptions: 1. Bonfires 2. Recreational Fires 3. Portable outdoor fireplaces 307.1.2 Bans on fires due to air quality or fire danger. If the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues a burn ban due to ai...
Wildfire Zones
Bellevue adopts the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code by reference alongside the 2021 International Fire Code, both as amended by the State Building Code Council. The fire marshal enforces both codes citywide under Bellevue City Code 23.11.100.
Bellevue Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Code
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.11.100
The International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, and Appendices B and C, all published by the International Code Council, as adopted by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-54A WAC, and as amended, added to or excepted in this chapter, and not including International Fire Code Sections 905.3.4, 905.3.4.1, 907.2.7.1, and 907.2.13.2, are adopted by reference thereto as though fully set forth h...
Smoke Detectors
Bellevue follows Washington State Building Code requiring smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, plus CO alarms under RCW 19.27.530.
Bellevue Smoke and CO Detector Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 19.27.530
RCW 19.27.530 Carbon monoxide alarms — Requirements — Exemptions — Adoption of rules. (1) By July 1, 2010, the building code council shall adopt rules requiring that all buildings classified as residential occupancies, as defined in the state building code in chapter 51-54 WAC, but excluding owner-occupied single-family residences legally occupied before July 26, 2009, be equipped with carbon m...
Propane Storage
Bellevue's amended Fire Code caps aggregate liquefied petroleum gas storage at any single installation at 2,000 gallons of water capacity. The fire chief can raise that ceiling case by case after weighing topography, occupancy type, tank size, private fire protection and fire department access. Bulk LP-gas storage is also confined to land zoned Light Industrial (LI) or General Commercial (GC) on the city's official zoning map.
Bellevue Propane Storage Capacity Limit
Some RestrictionsBellevue City Code § 23.11.6104.2 (IFC § 6104.2, amended)
6104.2 Maximum Capacity. Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested commercial areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity, except that in particular installations this capacity limit may be altered at the discretion of the chief after conside...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bellevue city rules.
Fire Regulations in King County →