Fire Regulations in Bernalillo County, NM (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Bernalillo County's Fire Code exempts recreational-fire-sized open burning of yard waste from a burn permit, but the fire code official can still stop reckless burning and Wildland-Urban Interface parcels must keep ashes in an established pit.
Bernalillo County Fire Pit & Recreational Fire Rules
Light RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76
NON-PERMITTED OPEN BURN. The burning of organic yard waste in piles conforming to size dimensions of a recreational fire as outlined in the NMAC 20.11.21 Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board Open Burning. ... Exception: Non-Permitted Open Burning. Open burning of dried vegetation resulting from land clearing conforming to size requirements of a recreational fire, Location req...
Fireworks
Bernalillo County bans aerial and loud consumer fireworks outright, requires a permit for retail fireworks sales, and confines lawful discharge to paved or barren ground with water on hand.
Bernalillo County Consumer Fireworks Rules
Significant RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76 (adopting International Fire Code § 5610)
5610.1 ... the following fireworks are prohibited from possession, storage, Sales, and handling of the following: (1)Aerial Devices:(a)aerial spinners;(b)helicopters;(c)missile-type rockets;(d)stick-type rockets;(f)roman candles.(2)Ground Audible Devices:(a)chasers;(b)firecrackers. ... 5610.5 Locations for discharge and use. Fireworks shall only be discharged in areas that are paved or barren a...
Brush Clearance
In wildland-urban interface areas, Bernalillo County requires 30 to 100 feet of cleared defensible space around buildings under the county fire code's Appendix M.
Bernalillo County Defensible Space Rules
Some RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76 (Wildland Urban Interface Code, Appendix M, § M109.2)
M109.2 Fuel Modification. In order to qualify as a conforming defensible space, for individual buildings or structures on a property, fuel modification shall be provided within a distance from buildings or structures as specified in Table M109.2. For all other purposes the fuel modification distance shall not be less than 30 feet or to the property line, whichever is less. ... Table 109.2 ... M...
Outdoor Burning
Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue regulates open burning in unincorporated areas. Dry weed piles max 3 ft diameter x 2 inches high allowed without permit. Burn hours 10 AM to 3 PM. Must call Open Burning Hotline (505) 468-7200 before burning. No burning of leaves, grass clippings, refuse, or waste.
Bernalillo County Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBernalillo County Code Chapter 70-43; IFC 2009 §§ 307.1.1, 307.2, 307.4, 307.5
Burning of dry weeds in piles no larger than 3' in diameter and 2" high is permitted in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County without a permit (BCC Chapter 3). You are not allowed to burn: Environmentally poor burning materials such as leaves, grass clippings, green plants, refuse, paper, rubbish, animal waste, waste oil, interiors of wrecked vehicle bodies, or other materials that are ...
Wildfire Zones
Homes in Bernalillo County's mapped Wildland-Urban Interface areas must maintain defensible space and may need a Fire Code Official-approved fire protection plan.
Bernalillo County Wildfire Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76 (Fire Code, Wildland-Urban Interface Code, App. M, §§ M108.2, M109.2)
M108.2 Content. The plan shall be based upon a site-specific wildfire risk assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect, flammable vegetation, climatic conditions, and fire history... M109.2 Fuel Modification. In order to qualify as a conforming defensible space... fuel modification shall be provided within a distance from buildings or structures as specified in Table...
Smoke Detectors
Bernalillo County's Fire Code amendment requires every smoke detector, including duct detectors, to be tested with imitation smoke, not a key switch or magnet, under the county's 2021 International Fire Code adoption.
Bernalillo County Smoke Detector Testing Rule
Some RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76 (amending International Fire Code § 907.8.2.1)
907.8.2.1 All smoke detectors, including duct detectors, must be tested utilizing imitation smoke. The use of key switches or magnets for testing is prohibited.
Propane Storage
In Bernalillo County's Wildland-Urban Interface areas, LP-gas containers must sit within the property's defensible space, with an exception allowing a separate defensible space built just for the tank.
Bernalillo County LP-Gas Container Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBernalillo County Code § 34-76 (Fire Code Appendix M, Wildland-Urban Interface Code, § M112.1)
M112.1 Location of containers. LP-gas containers shall be located within the defensible space in accordance with the Bernalillo County Code. Exception: LP gas containers may be placed outside of defensible space when a separate defensible space is provided for the gas container.
Fire Regulations by City in Bernalillo County
1 cities in Bernalillo County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Bernalillo County ordinances
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