Fire Regulations in Boise, ID (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Boise, Idaho, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Boise waives the open-burning permit for backyard recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces, but bans them outright whenever the regional Air Quality Index hits 60 or higher for any pollutant.
Boise Recreational Fire Pit Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 5-12-17
Permits are not required for recreational fires or portable outdoor fireplaces conducted and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5, or training fires approved by the Fire Chief. Permits are required for open burning, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces located in a wildland-urban interface hazard areas, and shall be approved by the fire code official prior to...
Fireworks
Boise bans all aerial and explosive "dangerous fireworks" outright and allows only non-aerial common fireworks, sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, sold and used under a City permit during two short windows around July 4th and New Year's.
Boise Fireworks Sales and Use Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code § 5-12-55 (IFC § 5609.3, 5609.7)
5609.3 Dangerous Fireworks Prohibition and Permit. It shall be unlawful for any person in the City to import, export, offer for sale, sell, possess, use, keep, or store or permit the keeping or storing of any "dangerous fireworks" for any use or purpose... 5609.7 Authorized Dates for Sale and Use of Fireworks. Non-aerial common fireworks may be sold at retail and used beginning at 11:59 p.m. on...
Brush Clearance
Boise property owners must cut and remove weeds, grass, vines, or other growth capable of igniting once it tops 12 inches and the fire code official flags it as a hazard.
Boise Fire Code Weed and Brush Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 5-12-16 (IFC § 304.1.2, Vegetation)
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 of the premises. When weeds, grass, vines or other growth are over 12 inches in height and is determined by the fire code official to be a fire hazard, the owner or owner's representative shall be notified of the hazard by certified mail or in per...
Outdoor Burning
Most open burning in Boise needs a fire code permit first, and any open burning is banned outright once the regional Air Quality Index hits 60.
Boise Open Burning Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoise City Code §§ 5-12-17, 5-12-18
307.2 Permit Required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official ... prior to open burning, for the following types of fires: 1. Recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices... 2. Irrigation ditches and fence rows; 3. Bonfires... 307.2.2 Air Quality Index. All open burning, even if a valid permit has been issued or no permit is required, is prohibited when the...
Wildfire Zones
Boise designates Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas requiring ignition-resistant construction, a 30-foot defensible space, and a Wildfire Safety Plan for new subdivisions.
Boise Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 5-12-53 (Sec. 4115.3, 4115.3.4)
4115.3 Fuel Modification. Buildings or structures in designated wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas, shall comply with defensible space fuel modification distances as required by the code official. Fuel modification distance shall be at least 30 feet... 4115.3.4 Fuel-Free Area. A fuel-free area of 5 feet is required around all structures.
Smoke Detectors
Boise homes follow 2018 IRC Section R314 for smoke alarms, plus a stricter local rule on alterations and a garage heat-detector mandate.
Boise Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsBoise City Code § 9-1B-42
R314.7.5 Heat Detector Within Garages. A heat detector, listed and interconnected to the smoke alarms, shall be installed in all attached garages and also in detached garages that do not meet required fire separation distance and have an electrical service. (Ord. 3-25, 2-4-2025) 9-1B-43: IRC ONE-AND-TWO-FAMILY DWELLING BUILDING CODE AMENDMENT, SECTION R315.2.2, ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS AND ADDITION...
Looking for Ada County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boise city rules.
Fire Regulations in Ada County →