Fire Regulations in Rapid City, SD (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Rapid City, South Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Rapid City Municipal Code § 8.34.170(A)(1)(h) exempts recreational fires from the citywide open burning ban as long as they stay confined to a fireplace, barbecue pit, fire pit, fire ring, chiminea, outdoor fireplace or rock ring. Unlike six other exceptions in the same section, recreational fires do not require advance Fire Department permission.
Rapid City Recreational Fire Pit Rule
Light RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 8.34.170(A)(1)(h)
h. Open burning for recreational purposes when the fires are confined to a fireplace, barbecue pit, recreational fire pit, fire ring, chiminea, outdoor fireplace, fire pit, or rock ring; and ... ... D. Conditions for Open Burning Approval within City Limits. Prior to ignition, a person requesting to open burn in the city limits for the exceptions allowed under division A.1.a. through f. of this...
Fireworks
Rapid City Municipal Code § 8.24.740 bans the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks citywide. The ban carries narrow exceptions for licensed displays, testing, and a short list of novelty items sold with strict weight and size limits, all enforced by the Fire Department under the adopted International Fire Code.
Rapid City Fireworks Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 8.24.740
5601.1.3 Fireworks. ... The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Exceptions: ... ... 5. The sale or use of certain novelty fireworks within the City are permitted, and are limited to the following: a. Party Poppers (not to exceed 0.25 grain), b. Snappers (not to exceed 0.02 grain), c. Sparklers (not to exceed 3.5 oz), d. Toy caps (not to exceed 0...
Outdoor Burning
Rapid City Municipal Code § 8.34.170 bans open burning anywhere in the Air Quality Control Zone except for nine listed purposes, and six of those nine require advance permission from the Fire Department before ignition. State rules layered on top separately ban burning waste oil, tires, treated wood and asphalt shingles no matter what.
Rapid City Open Burning Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 8.34.170(A)(1)
A. Open Burning Restricted. 1. No person shall, at any time, engage in open burning activities within the Air Quality Control Zone, except as allowed under the following conditions: a. Open burning of agricultural irrigation ditches; b. Open burning for noxious weed control; c. Open burning for wildfire control management; d. Open burning for ecosystem management; e. Open burning for Fire Depar...
Smoke Detectors
Rapid City's own amendments to the adopted International Fire Code set exact smoke alarm clearances: Section 907.2.11.3 requires at least 10 feet horizontally from any permanently installed cooking appliance, and Section 907.2.11.4 requires at least 5 feet from a bathroom door, unless that placement would defeat a required alarm location elsewhere.
Rapid City Smoke Alarm Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code §§ 8.24.600, 8.24.610
907.2.11.3 Installation near cooking appliances. ... Smoke alarms or smoke detectors must be installed at least ten (10) feet (3048 mm) horizontally away from a permanently-installed cooking appliance. Additionally, the smoke alarms or smoke detectors must be placed as far as possible from the cooking appliance, as the room layout allows. ... 907.2.11.4 Installation near bathrooms. ... Smoke al...
Propane Storage
Rapid City does not set a residential propane tank limit; it instead confines stationary LP-gas storage to industrial land. Rapid City Municipal Code section 17.24.020(B)(21) permits stationary tank storage of Class I or II flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases and liquefied petroleum gases in the HI Heavy Industrial District, subject to precautions against fire and explosion hazards.
Rapid City Zones Bulk Propane Tanks to Industrial Land
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 17.24.020(B)(21)
21. Stationary tank storage of Class I or II flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases and liquefied petroleum gases, subject to the proper precautions as to location to prevent fire and explosion hazards.