Fire Regulations in Portland, OR (2026)
8 verified fire regulations for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Recreational fire pits are allowed in Portland subject to distance requirements: 25 feet from structures or combustible materials. Fires in approved containers/chimeneas require 15 feet. Fires must be constantly attended and have extinguishing equipment on hand.
Portland Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsFireworks
Under Oregon Revised Statute 480.111, only ground-based, non-aerial 'safe and sane' fireworks are legal in Portland — anything that flies, explodes, travels more than 6 feet on the ground, or shoots more than 12 inches into the air is illegal. Portland Fire & Rescue enforces the state ban under Portland City Code 31.16 and may impose temporary bans during high fire danger.
Portland Fireworks Rules (ORS 480.111 + PCC 31.16)
Heavy RestrictionsBrush Clearance
Oregon ORS 477.057 and Portland Fire Code Appendix require 30 to 100 feet of defensible space around structures in wildfire hazard zones, primarily in the West Hills and forest interface.
Brush Clearance Rules in Portland
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Open burning is generally prohibited inside Portland city limits under Portland City Code Chapter 31.16 and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air-quality rules. Small recreational fires in a permanent fire pit, chiminea, or commercial portable fire device are allowed only if they burn clean wood, are under 3 feet across, and stay 25 feet from buildings. Multnomah County prohibits residential debris burning year-round.
Portland Outdoor Burning (PCC 31.16 + DEQ Rules)
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Portland's western edge — the West Hills, Forest Park boundary, and parts of Southwest Portland — is mapped as a Wildfire Hazard Zone under Oregon Senate Bill 762 (2021) and the Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map adopted in 2024. Homes in High and Extreme hazard zones must meet defensible-space and home-hardening standards under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code Section R327, enforced by Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS).
Portland Wildfire Hazard Zones (Oregon SB 762 — 2022 Wildfire Hazard Code)
Heavy RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Oregon ORS 479.250 to 479.305 and the Portland Fire Code require smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and floor level of residential units.
Smoke Detector Rules in Portland
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Recreational backyard fires in Portland must use approved devices with clean fuels, stay under 3 feet in diameter, and pause on DEQ air-quality advisory days.
Backyard Fire Rules in Portland
Some RestrictionsPropane Storage
Portland Fire & Rescue enforces the Oregon Fire Code on propane storage, capping cylinder size and quantity at residences and prohibiting storage inside dwellings, basements, or near building openings.
Propane cylinder storage at homes
Some RestrictionsLooking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Fire Regulations in Multnomah County →