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Fire Regulations in Pontiac, MI (2026)

4 verified fire regulations for Pontiac, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

In the City of Pontiac, open burning is banned outdoors under City Code § 58-147, but the section carves out recreational fires: campfires and other fires "used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, or for outdoor noncommercial preparation of food" are allowed as long as they create no public nuisance, with no separate permit or setback specified.

Pontiac Allows Recreational Campfires as Exception

Few Restrictions

Pontiac City Code § 58-147(3)

No person shall cause or permit an open burning in any public or private place outside any building; provided that open burning may be conducted if no public nuisance is or will be created, as follows: ... (3) Campfires and other fires used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, or for outdoor noncommercial preparation of food.

Fireworks

Consumer fireworks may only be ignited, discharged or used in the City of Pontiac on the day before, the day of, or the day after a national holiday under City Code Section 86-296, and never between midnight and 8:00 a.m., or between 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on New Year's Day. Violating that window is a municipal civil infraction under Section 86-297, with fines from $100.00 up to $500.00 that climb to $300.00 and then $500.00 for repeat offenses.

Pontiac Consumer Fireworks Rules

Significant Restrictions

Pontiac City Code §§ 86-296, 86-297

No person shall ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks in the City of Pontiac except on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday; provided, that such ignition, discharge, or use does not occur between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. or between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day. ... Violation of any provisions of this division shall ...

Outdoor Burning

In the City of Pontiac, City Code § 58-147 makes it unlawful to cause or permit an open burning in any public or private place outside any building. Burning is allowed only under seven narrow, code-listed exceptions, such as fire-department training burns, hazard-elimination burns authorized by the fire chief and administrator, and burning specifically permitted by state law, and even then only if it creates no public nuisance.

Pontiac Bans Open Burning Outdoors

Significant Restrictions

Pontiac City Code § 58-147

No person shall cause or permit an open burning in any public or private place outside any building; provided that open burning may be conducted if no public nuisance is or will be created, as follows: (1) Fires purposely set for the instruction and training of firefighting personnel when authorized by the fire chief. (2) Fires set for the elimination of fire hazards or hazardous material...

Propane Storage

In the City of Pontiac, storing bottled liquefied petroleum gas (propane) is banned outright inside Fire Limit No. 1 except for a one-year temporary heating exception, and capped at 1,200 water gallons per tank everywhere else in the city under City Code §§ 62-132 and 62-134. Any installation over 125 gallons needs a $10.00 permit from the building and safety engineering division under § 62-136.

Pontiac Limits Home Propane Tank Storage

Significant Restrictions

Pontiac City Code §§ 62-132, 62-134, 62-136

The storing and use of liquid petroleum gases in containers in fire limits no. 1 is prohibited. As a temporary measure only and where liquid petroleum gas is to be used for the heating of any building, use of such gas in approved containers may be permitted until natural gas is available. In no case shall any use be granted or approved in fire limits no. 1 for any period longer than one year. ....

Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pontiac city rules.

Fire Regulations in Oakland County →