Fire Regulations in Madison, WI (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Madison allows outdoor fireplaces and fire pits without a license under MGO § 34.307(6), but only if they sit at least 15 feet from any building or lot line, on a stable non-combustible surface, screened against sparks, burning only clean dry wood, and watched by a responsible adult until fully extinguished.
Madison Outdoor Fire Pit Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 34.307(6)
(6)IFC section 307.4.3 shall be replaced with the following language: outdoor fireplaces and pits are bowls or pits designed for the holding or burning of wood and shall be allowed without a license, as long as the following conditions are met: (a)Fireplaces shall include a bowl with supports to ensure clearances to combustibles;(b)Fire pits and fireplaces shall have an enclosure, heavy screen ...
Fireworks
Madison bans nearly all consumer fireworks under MGO 23.05, following WI Stat 167.10 which allows cities to further restrict. Only sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs, and stationary cone fountains are permitted without a permit.
Fire: Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsWis. Stat. §167.10
167.10 Regulation of fireworks. (1) Definition. In this section, "fireworks" means anything manufactured, processed or packaged for exploding, emitting sparks or combustion which does not have another common use, but does not include any of the following: (a) Fuel or a lubricant. (b) A firearm cartridge or shotgun shell. [...] (i) A sparkler on a wire or wood stick not exceeding 36 inches in le...
Outdoor Burning
Madison bans open burning without a license from the Fire Chief. MGO § 34.307 prohibits burning rubbish, leaves and construction waste outright and adds a Dane County DNR air-quality and fire-danger trigger that shuts down bonfires, prairie fires and outdoor fireplaces whenever conditions turn unhealthy or high-risk.
Madison Open Burning License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 34.307(1)-(5)
34.307 - OPEN BURNING. The following requirements are in addition to the requirements found in IFC section 307:(1)In addition to authorization from the Chief, a license must be obtained in accordance with Secs. 7.45 and 34.105(14)(a), MGO.(2)Open burning is not permitted without a license. The burning of rubbish, leaves, construction waste, and other similar material is prohibited.(3)No person ...
Smoke Detectors
Madison's Peter Talen Smoke Alarm Ordinance, MGO § 34.907, requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, sleeping area, and within six feet of each bedroom door, on every floor of nearly all residential buildings. Buildings from before 2009 follow this local rule; anything built after 2009 must instead meet IFC section 907.
Madison Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 34.907
(1)Smoke Alarms. Buildings built before 2009 shall comply with this section, all buildings built after 2009 shall comply with IFC section 907.(b)Required Installation.1.On August 15, 2009 all residential buildings, except owner-occupied single family homes, shall have smoke alarms in place which meet one of the following requirements:a.A smoke alarm with two (2) independent power sources consis...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Fire Regulations in Dane County →