Fire Regulations in Tucson, AZ (2026)
4 verified fire regulations for Tucson, Arizona, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Tucson Code § 11-8 exempts homestyle broilers, barbecue pits, grills and similar cooking devices from the citywide open-fire permit that § 11-6 otherwise requires for any bonfire, incinerator or open fire kindled outside a building. A true open fire or bonfire still needs a free Fire Department permit, capped at six months under § 11-9.
Tucson Backyard Fire Pits Are Permit-Exempt
Some RestrictionsTucson Code §§ 11-5, 11-6, 11-8
Sec. 11-6. Same--Permit required. No person shall kindle, suffer, maintain, authorize, or permit any open fire or bonfire, or use or operate with fire any incinerator or other burning device outside of a regular building within the city without the permit specified in section 11-7. ... Sec. 11-8. Same--Permit not required for cooking devices. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no p...
Fireworks
Tucson Code §11-22 bans all consumer fireworks within city limits. Only state-permitted novelties (fountains, sparklers, smoke items) may be sold. Use violations are civil infractions; property damage/injury violations are Class 1 misdemeanors.
Tucson Fireworks Rules & Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsA.R.S. § 36-1606 — Consumer fireworks regulation; state preemption
36-1606. Consumer fireworks regulation; state preemption; further regulation of fireworks by local jurisdiction. A. The sale and use of permissible consumer fireworks are of statewide concern. The regulation of permissible consumer fireworks pursuant to this article and their sale or use is not subject to further regulation by a governing body, except as follows: 1. In a county with a populatio...
Outdoor Burning
Tucson Code § 11-5 bans burning garbage, rubbish, trash, tree prunings, junk auto parts, tires, and similar waste in open fires, bonfires, incinerators, or other burning devices anywhere in the city outside a regular building, declaring any unauthorized fire a public nuisance unless the fire chief has issued the free permit required by § 11-7.
Tucson Open Burning Ban & Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsTucson Code § 11-5
The burning of garbage, rubbish, trash, grass clippings, tree prunings, waste trade materials, junk auto bodies or parts thereof, or tires, and any other articles in open fires, bonfires, incinerator or burning devices, or in other manner, outside of a regular building and within the city is hereby prohibited except as specifically permitted. Except as specifically provided, any such fire or bu...
Smoke Detectors
Every existing dwelling unit in Tucson must have working smoke detectors as required by the Tucson Fire Code, enforced through the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance's building-interior fire-safety standards alongside egress and exit requirements.
Tucson Dwelling Smoke Detector Requirement
Some RestrictionsTucson Code § 16-11(a)(3)
Every existing dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke detectors in good operating condition as required by the Tucson Fire Code of the City of Tucson.
Looking for Pima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tucson city rules.
Fire Regulations in Pima County →