Fire Regulations in Birmingham, AL (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Birmingham has no ordinance banning backyard fire pits, but the city sits inside Jefferson County, where the County Board of Health prohibits open outdoor burning April through October except for food preparation. A contained portable fire pit or grill used for cooking is the safest way to have a fire during the warm-weather ban; recreational fires are governed by the Alabama Fire Code (IFC) that Birmingham has adopted.
Fire pits allowed; food-prep exception in burn ban
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Board of Health Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations, Chapter 5 (Open Burning)
Open burning is prohibited in Jefferson County from April through October. The Jefferson County Board of Health Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations (Chapter 5) prohibit outdoor burning, except for the purposes of food preparation, from April through October when air quality is typically at its worst. Authorizations issued to open burn in Jefferson County during November through March re...
Fireworks
Only Class C 'common' consumer fireworks are legal in Alabama, and Birmingham city code separately prohibits discharging firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, pinwheels, or other fireworks except under a permit issued through the city's fire prevention code. State law bars igniting fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, school, or enclosed building, or within 200 feet of where fireworks are stored or sold.
Consumer fireworks limited; city permit to discharge
Heavy RestrictionsCode of Alabama section 8-17-222
It shall be unlawful to offer for sale or to sell any fireworks to children under the age of 16 years unless accompanied by an adult or to any intoxicated or irresponsible person... It shall be unlawful to explode or ignite fireworks within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, public school, any enclosed building, or within 200 feet or where fireworks are stored, sold, or offered for sale....
Brush Clearance
Birmingham may require brush clearance and vegetation management. Alabama Forestry Commission manages wildfire prevention statewide.
Birmingham Brush & Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Birmingham is in Jefferson County, where the County Board of Health bans open outdoor burning from April through October every year, except fires used for food preparation. The ban exists because many small fires significantly worsen the area's air quality. From November through March, burning is allowed only with a JCDH authorization that imposes strict location and equipment rules, and state law separately requires an Alabama Forestry Commission permit for larger woodland or grassland burns.
Outdoor burning banned April-October in Jefferson County
Heavy RestrictionsJefferson County Board of Health Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations, Chapter 5 (Open Burning)
Open burning is prohibited in Jefferson County from April through October. Many small fires significantly contribute to the area's air pollution emissions. Air pollution from open burning can cause serious health problems and damage the environment. The Jefferson County Board of Health Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations (Chapter 5) prohibit outdoor burning, except for the purposes of f...
Wildfire Zones
Birmingham's Red Mountain ridgelines and forested neighborhoods carry wildfire risk; BFRS and Alabama Forestry Commission urge defensible space and burn-ban compliance during dry conditions.
Wildland-Urban Interface Risk
Some RestrictionsBackyard Fires
A backyard recreational fire in Birmingham is allowed mainly during the November-through-March window, because Jefferson County bans open outdoor burning (except cooking) from April through October. Recreational fires are defined and limited by the Alabama Fire Code that Birmingham adopts, and any burn of grassland or woodland over a quarter-acre requires a free permit number from the Alabama Forestry Commission first.
Recreational fires limited by county ban and burn permits
Some RestrictionsAlabama Forestry Commission, Burn Permits (Code of Alabama section 9-13-11)
Alabama law (9-13-11) requires that you obtain a permit from the Alabama Forestry Commission to conduct a prescribed burn for silvicultural and agricultural purposes. If the proposed fire is less than 1/4 of an acre a permit is not necessary. Permits are issued through our dispatch center by calling (800) 392-5679. There are some County and City Laws that also restrict outdoor burning. Burners ...
Propane Storage
Birmingham follows the International Fire Code and Alabama LP-Gas Board rules for residential propane tanks, limiting cylinder size near dwellings and requiring permits for permanent installations.
Residential Propane Storage
Some RestrictionsLooking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Fire Regulations in Jefferson County →