Fire Regulations in Milwaukee, WI (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Milwaukee requires open burning to happen only in an approved, covered metal, concrete or brick container kept at least 15 feet from any combustible construction, with a narrow exemption for charcoal or LP gas grills at one- and two-family homes.
Milwaukee Fire Pit and Open Burning Rules
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 214-9-1 (Containers for Open Burning)
Open burning shall be conducted only in an approved and listed container or a substantial burner built of metal, concrete or brick, well covered or screened to prevent the escape of sparking and burning embers. A burner shall not be operated within 15 feet of any combustible construction. Open flame cooking devices, including charcoal burners and LP gas burners, are exempt from this requirement...
Fireworks
Milwaukee bans selling, keeping, using or discharging fireworks anywhere in the city, with fines up to $1,000 and jail for violators or consenting parents.
Milwaukee Fireworks Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 105-47 (Volume 1, Ch. 105, Public Safety)
No person may sell, expose or offer for sale, use, keep or discharge, or explode in this city any firecracker, bottle rocket, cherry bomb, colored smoke bomb, toy cap, blank cartridge, toy pistol or cannon in which explosives are used, contrivances using explosive caps or cartridges, sparklers, display wheels... sky rockets, Roman candles, aerial salutes, American or Chinese bombs or other fire...
Outdoor Burning
Milwaukee allows open burning only in an approved container or metal, concrete or brick burner, kept 15 feet from combustible construction and watched until out.
Milwaukee Outdoor Burning Container Rules
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 214-9-1 (Building and Zoning Code, Vol. 2)
1. CONTAINERS FOR OPEN BURNING. a. Open burning shall be conducted only in an approved and listed container or a substantial burner built of metal, concrete or brick, well covered or screened to prevent the escape of sparking and burning embers. b. A burner shall not be operated within 15 feet of any combustible construction. Open flame cooking devices, including charcoal burners and LP gas bur...
Smoke Detectors
Milwaukee requires a smoke detector in the basement and on every floor level of pre-1983 residential buildings, placed within 6 feet of sleeping areas, tested annually by the owner, and never tampered with by tenants.
Milwaukee Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsMilwaukee Code of Ordinances § 214-27
Every dwelling unit in a residential building constructed prior to January 1, 1983 shall be provided with approved listed and labeled smoke detectors or alarms sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion, installed in a manner and location consistent with their listing. A minimum of one smoke detector or alarm shall be installed in the basement and on each floor level except in an unfi...
Looking for Milwaukee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Milwaukee city rules.
Fire Regulations in Milwaukee County →