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Fire Regulations in Bartholomew County, IN (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Bartholomew County, Indiana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Bartholomew County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Campfires and cooking fires are allowed outdoors in unincorporated residential developments without a permit, but campfires must stay at least 25 feet from any structure and be attended at all times. Cooking fires alone are exempt from that 25-foot setback and from the daylight-hours cutoff.

Bartholomew County Campfire & Cooking Fire Rules

Some Restrictions

Bartholomew County Code § 91.38(A)(3)-(4), (B)(1)-(3)

(A) The following types of outdoor burning and fires shall be permitted outdoors: ... (3) Campfires; and (4) Cooking fires. (B) Except as noted, all types of outdoor burning and fires permitted under division (A) above shall be subject to the following. (1) Fires shall be attended at all times until completely extinguished. (2) Except in the case of campfires and cooking fires, all burning shal...

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning on any parcel within a residential development in unincorporated Bartholomew County is unlawful unless it fits one of the permitted categories in § 91.38. The rule targets any two or more adjoining residential parcels under three acres, plus apartment complexes and mobile home parks, and unlisted burning is banned outright.

Bartholomew County Outdoor Burning Rules

Some Restrictions

Bartholomew County Code §§ 91.37, 91.38(A), (C)

§ 91.37 PROHIBITION AGAINST UNREGULATED OUTDOOR BURNING. ... It shall be unlawful to burn or cause to be burned in the outdoors any material on any real estate in a residential development in the unincorporated areas of the county, unless the burning complies with the provisions of this subchapter. ... § 91.38 RULES. (A) The following types of outdoor burning and fires shall be permitted outdoo...

Smoke Detectors

Every dwelling, dwelling unit, apartment house, lodging house, and mobile home rental in unincorporated Bartholomew County must have approved, working smoke detectors, placed within set distances of sleeping rooms and hallways under § 91.52. Tampering with a working detector is separately unlawful under § 91.53.

Bartholomew County Smoke Detector Requirements

Some Restrictions

Bartholomew County Code §§ 91.51, 91.52

§ 91.51 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. ... Every dwelling unit, dwelling, apartment house, lodging house or mobile home rental shall contain approved and properly functioning smoke detectors installed in accordance with § 91.52. ... § 91.52 LOCATION AND INSTALLATION. Smoke detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in a corridor or area giving access to the rooms for ...

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