Fire Regulations in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Fort Wayne, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational and camp fires in Fort Wayne must stay within 36 inches across and 2 feet high, sit at least 25 feet from any structure or fence, and get a Fire Department burn permit unless they're a scouting or family cookout campfire.
Fort Wayne Fire Pit and Campfire Rules
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances §§ 94.70, 94.71(A)(2)
A RECREATIONAL OR CAMP FIRE shall have a total fuel area no greater than 36 inches in diameter and a fuel load not to exceed two feet in height. ... A Burn Permit shall be obtained from the Fire Department at least 24 hours in advance of the permitted open burning. ... A fire shall be located at least 25 feet away from any structure, fence or right of way.
Fireworks
Fort Wayne restricts consumer fireworks to specific summer, holiday, and New Year's windows citywide, with no other dates or times permitted.
Fort Wayne Consumer Fireworks Dates
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 96.20
No person within the corporate boundaries of the city shall use, ignite or discharge or permit to be used, ignited or discharged any type of consumer fireworks on any other day or time other than the following: (A) June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, July 9 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to two hours after sunset... (D) No other date or time is permitted fo...
Outdoor Burning
Fort Wayne bans trash, leaf, bonfire, and other open burning citywide, with narrow exemptions for permitted recreational campfires and school bonfires.
Fort Wayne Open Burning Ban
Significant RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 94.71
No person or business shall kindle or maintain any open burning consisting of a trash fire, leaf fire, bonfire, refuse fire, or other open burning. Exemptions. The following types of fire may be allowed: Bonfires celebrating school pep rallies. Recreational camp fires for scouting or family cookout activities.
Smoke Detectors
Every dwelling unit in Fort Wayne must have at least one working, labeled smoke detector per floor, placed near sleeping areas per NFPA 74 standards.
Fort Wayne Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 94.61
All dwelling units within the corporate limits of the city shall be equipped with a minimum of one functional, properly located, labeled and listed, smoke detector, or its equivalent or better, as described in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) pamphlet 74. Each additional story of any dwelling, including basements, cellars, and habitable attics, shall be equipped with a functional, pr...
Propane Storage
Fort Wayne businesses that keep above-ground or below-ground propane tanks must register an information permit with the Fire Department's Code Enforcement Division and produce it on request. The rule targets commercial tank sites, not ordinary residential grill or patio cylinders.
Fort Wayne Business Propane Tank Registration
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 94.92
The provisions of this section apply to all businesses where above or below ground tanks are located. The owner, occupant or representative of the business where above or below ground tanks are located shall register with an informational permit when installing, removing, abandoning in place, and/or placing temporarily out of service issued by the Fort Wayne Fire Department Code Enforcement Div...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Wayne city rules.
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