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Fire Regulations in St. Louis, MO (2026)

4 verified fire regulations for St. Louis, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

St. Louis caps recreational fires at 30 inches wide and 18 inches tall, 12 feet from any structure, out by 11 p.m.

St. Louis Recreational Fire Rules

Some Restrictions

St. Louis Revised Code § 11.110.020

Recreational fires may not be located within twelve (12) feet of any structure, including a fence or deck... Recreational fires must be extinguished within four (4) hours following ignition, and in no case will a fire be allowed to burn later than 11:00 pm... Recreational fires are not permitted if winds are greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour.

Fireworks

St. Louis bans possessing, selling, or setting off fireworks of any kind within city limits, with no exception for sparklers; violators face fines up to $500 and jail time.

St. Louis Fireworks Ban

Heavy Restrictions

St. Louis Revised Code § 15.82.030

No person or entity shall possess, store, sell, expose, post for sale, transfer to another, use, explode, discharge, set off, or burn fireworks of any kind or description within the limits of the City of St. Louis.

Outdoor Burning

St. Louis bans open burning of refuse, trade waste, leaves, grass and other vegetation citywide, but exempts small recreational fires and contained fires using untreated wood, charcoal, propane or natural gas for warmth.

St. Louis Open Burning Restrictions

Significant Restrictions

St. Louis Revised Code § 11.34.130

A. No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the open burning of refuse. ... D. No person shall cause or permit the open burning of leaves, trees or the byproducts therefrom, grass, or other vegetation. ... F.6. Recreational fires and fires in proper containers for occupational warmth using only untreated wood, charcoal, propane or natural gas as fuel.

Smoke Detectors

St. Louis dwelling owners must install smoke detectors in every sleeping area and stairwell, test common-area units, and never disable a battery.

St. Louis Smoke Detector Rules

Some Restrictions

St. Louis Revised Code §§ 25.52.040, 25.52.080

The owner of each existing dwelling or newly constructed or rehabilitated unit shall install at least one (1) smoke detector to protect each sleeping area... with not less than one detector per level containing a habitable room and in the basement or cellar... It shall be unlawful for any person to remove batteries or in any way make smoke detectors inoperable.