Fire Pit Rules: Grand Rapids vs Kentwood
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Grand Rapids, MI and Kentwood, MI?
Grand Rapids has fewer restrictions than Kentwood.
Grand Rapids, MI
Kent County
Recreational fire pits are allowed in Grand Rapids on private property when used in approved containers with proper clearance from structures. Fires must be attended and kept to a manageable size.
View full Grand Rapids rules →Kentwood, MI
Kent County
In Kent County, MI parks, Section 14 of the Kent County Parks & Recreation Regulations prohibits building, causing to be built, or setting any fire except within established barbecue grills. Fires may not be left unattended and must be thoroughly extinguished before leaving the site. The regulations were originally approved February 10, 2020 and most recently amended September 6, 2021. There is no county-wide fire-pit or open-burning ordinance for private property in Kent County — those rules are set by each township.
View full Kentwood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Grand Rapids | Kentwood |
|---|---|---|
| Setback | 15 feet from structures and fences | - |
| Container | Approved fire pit or chiminea | - |
| Attendance | Must be attended at all times | - |
| Fuel | Clean dry wood only | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Grand Rapids FAQ
Can I have a fire pit in my Grand Rapids backyard?
Yes. Use an approved fire pit or chiminea at least 15 feet from structures. The fire must be attended at all times and only clean dry wood may be burned.
Can I burn construction wood or pallets in a Grand Rapids fire pit?
No. Only clean, dry firewood may be burned. Treated lumber, painted wood, pallets, trash, and other prohibited materials are not allowed in a recreational fire.
What if my Grand Rapids neighbor complains about fire pit smoke?
Excessive smoke impacting neighbors can result in a complaint. Use seasoned dry wood, keep the fire small, and stop burning if smoke is drifting heavily into adjacent yards.
Kentwood FAQ
Can I bring a portable fire pit or chiminea to a Kent County park?
No. Section 14 of the Kent County Parks & Recreation Regulations limits fires in county parks to "established barbecue grills" — meaning grills installed by the Kent County Parks Department at designated picnic and shelter areas. Portable fire pits, chimineas, freestanding fire rings, and open campfires are not permitted in Kent County parks.
Does Kent County, MI have a fire-pit ordinance for my backyard?
No. Kent County has no county-wide ordinance regulating fire pits, recreational fires, or open burning on private property. Those rules are set at the township or city level. For example, Charter Township of Grand Rapids Ordinance No. 486 governs recreational fires in that township. Check with your specific township or city office for the rules that apply to your address.
Do I have to put out my barbecue grill before leaving a Kent County park?
Yes. Section 14 of the County Park Regulations states that "no person shall leave any fire, and all such fires shall be thoroughly extinguished prior to leaving the site." Coals must be cold to the touch before you leave the park.
What happens if I light an unauthorized fire in a Kent County park?
Under Section 30 (Violations), Kent County Parks Department staff or law enforcement will ask you to leave the park. If you refuse to leave when directed, you commit criminal trespassing under Michigan law (MCL 750.552). Depending on the circumstances, township fire-code or state open-burning citations may also apply.
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