Fire Regulations in Gary, IN (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Gary, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Gary's fire prevention code lets residents burn a bonfire on private property only inside a wire, metal, concrete, or similar nonflammable container or enclosure. City Code § 22-51(a) contains no exemption for open, uncontained backyard fires. The Bureau of Fire Prevention within the Gary Fire Department enforces the requirement, and violations carry the citywide general penalty fine under § 1-7.
Gary Backyard Fire Pit Container Rule
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 22-51(a)
No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire on any private property except within a wire, metal, concrete, or similar nonflammable container or enclosure.
Fireworks
Gary sets its own fireworks calendar each year by common council resolution, but the code guarantees consumer fireworks use from 5 p.m. to two hours after sunset on June 29 through July 9 (except July 4), 10 a.m. to midnight on July 4, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on New Year's. City Code § 22-52 also requires a state fire marshal permit for public displays.
Gary Fireworks Season and Hours Ordinance
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 22-52(b)
(b)Fireworks season. Prior to March 31 of each year, and for the ensuing year, a fireworks season for consumer use, display and discharge of consumer fireworks shall be established by resolution of the common council specifically setting forth the days and time of day consumer fireworks may be used, provided that such season shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of IC 22-11-14, and prov...
Outdoor Burning
Gary bans open burning in any street, alley, or road unless the fire sits in a nonflammable container or stays under a competent person's direct, constant supervision. Bonfires on public ground need written permission from the Bureau of Fire Prevention first. City Code § 22-51(a) is the citywide open-burning rule the Gary Fire Department and Bureau of Fire Prevention enforce.
Gary Bans Open Street and Public Burning
Significant RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 22-51(a)
No person shall kindle or maintain any fire or authorize any fire to be kindled or maintained on or in any street, alley, or road except within a wire, metal, or similar nonflammable container or enclosure or unless the fire is and remains under the direct and constant supervision of some competent person. No person shall kindle or maintain any fire or bonfire on public ground unless written pe...
Smoke Detectors
Gary requires at least one smoke detector per level in every new single-family or multi-family unit, mounted on the ceiling at least six inches from any wall (or on a wall six to 12 inches below the ceiling) and within 15 feet of every bedroom. City Code § 22-105 covers new construction; § 22-106 imposes the same placement on existing buildings, and § 22-104 requires an ionization or photoelectric, UL-listed device.
Gary Smoke Detector Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsGary Municipal Code § 22-105
All new construction of residential or mixed occupancy structures shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors in the manner as follows: (1)Not less than one approved smoke detector shall be installed in every single-family residential unit and multiple-dwelling units.(2)The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least six inches from any wall or on a wall located from six to 12 i...
Looking for Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gary city rules.
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