Fire Regulations in Thornton, CO (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Thornton, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Thornton lets small contained fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces skip the Open Burning permit if the fuel area is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, but still sets a minimum setback: 15 feet from the house for wood fires and 5 feet for gas or propane fires, under the amended Fire Code Section 307.
Thornton Backyard Fire Pit Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsThornton, CO Code of Ordinances § 10-161 (amended IFC §§ 307.1.1(5), 307.3)
307.1.1 Approved open burning. Open burning shall only be conducted for the following purposes or activities:...5.Fires contained by a commercially available chiminea, outdoor fireplace or fire pit, or other approved method having a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height. 307.3 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 5...
Outdoor Burning
Kindling or maintaining any open fire in Thornton is unlawful without a fire code official's Open Burning permit under the amended Fire Code Section 307, and permitted burns are limited to a short list of approved purposes, calm weather, daylight hours and constant attendance.
Thornton Open Burning Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsThornton, CO Code of Ordinances § 10-161 (amended IFC §§ 307.1, 307.2, 307.6, 307.7)
307.1 General. It shall be unlawful for a person to kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section. It shall be unlawful to violate any condition or requirement of an Open Burning permit issued pursuant to this Section 307. 307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in ...
Wildfire Zones
Thornton may have wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space around structures, fire-resistant building materials, and vegetation management.
Thornton Wildfire Zone & Defensible Space Rules
Some RestrictionsColo. HB22-1007 (Wildfire Mitigation)
Bill Summary: The act establishes the wildfire mitigation resources and best practices grant program (grant program) within the Colorado state forest service (forest service). To be eligible to receive a grant, a recipient must be an agency of local government, a county, a municipality, a special district, a tribal agency or program, or a nonprofit organization. The forest service is tasked wit...
Smoke Detectors
Thornton's amended Residential Code requires smoke alarms to run on the building's commercial wiring with a 10-year battery backup, or a sealed 10-year battery alone where no commercial power exists, under Section R310.6 of the city's adopted 2024 International Residential Code amendments.
Thornton Smoke Alarm Power Source Rule
Some RestrictionsThornton, CO Code of Ordinances § 10-165 (amended IRC § R310.6)
R310.6 Power source. Smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring where such wiring is served from a commercial source and, where primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a 10-year battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection. Exceptions: 1.Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be...
Looking for Adams County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Thornton city rules.
Fire Regulations in Adams County →