8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Boulder County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Backyard fire pits, campfires and charcoal grills are treated as "Open Fires" under Ordinance 2023-1. They are allowed when no fire ban is in effect, but during High Danger Conditions or a declared Stage 1/Stage 2 ban, all ignition sources are prohibited in unincorporated areas.
Boulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section I (Definitions)
Open Fire: Any outdoor fire, including, but not limited to, Open Burning, Agricultural Burning, campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, wood pellet grills, fires in wood-burning stoves or grates, use of firearms, blasting, welding, grinding, and use of explosives or Fireworks of any kind.
Under Ordinance 2023-1, the Board or Sheriff can ban all open fires including the sale and use of fireworks. During any fire ban or High Danger Conditions, no fireworks of any kind are permitted in unincorporated Boulder County. Bans are common every summer.
Boulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section II(A)-(B)
The Open Fire ban may also ban the sale, in addition to the use, of Fireworks. During High Danger Conditions, no Person shall: 1. Engage in any activity that produces or maintains... an ignition source for an Open Fire; or 2. Sell or use Fireworks.
In Wildfire Zone 1 (West County) and Wildfire Zone 2 (East County), Boulder County requires full defensible space around structures whenever you build, add over 200 sq ft, or add a large accessory structure. Standards include ignition-resistant construction and clearing combustible vegetation near buildings.
Boulder County Wildfire Mitigation Code Requirements
Unincorporated Boulder County is divided into three Wildfire Zones. Full defensible space is required in Wildfire Zone 1 - West County and Wildfire Zone 2 - East County. Full defensible space is NOT required in Wildfire Zone 3 - East County.
You cannot conduct open burning (slash, broadcast or pile burns) in unincorporated Boulder County without a permit, and you must give notice to the Sheriff's Office before starting. Agricultural burning is exempt from the permit but still requires prior notice. Apply through the county's Open Burning Portal.
Boulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section III(A)-(B)
No Person shall commence Open Burning without a permit, except that Agricultural Burning does not require a permit. No person shall commence Open Burning, including Agricultural Burning, without first providing notice to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office prior to starting the fire.
Unincorporated Boulder County is divided into three Wildfire Zones. Building or expanding in Zone 1 (West County) or Zone 2 (East County) triggers wildfire mitigation code requirements, including ignition-resistant construction and defensible space. Zone 3 does not require full defensible space.
Boulder County Wildfire Mitigation Code Requirements
Full defensible space is required in Wildfire Zone 1 - West County and Wildfire Zone 2 - East County. Full defensible space is NOT required in Wildfire Zone 3 - East County.
Boulder County has no separate smoke-alarm ordinance; the requirement is set by Colorado state law and the adopted building code. A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed within 15 feet of each bedroom in dwellings with a fuel-fired appliance, fireplace, or attached garage on sale, permitted work, or new rental
Backyard fires, campfires and warming fires are "Open Fires" under county ordinance and are allowed only when no fire ban is declared. During High Danger Conditions or a Stage 1/Stage 2 restriction, all open flames are prohibited in unincorporated Boulder County.
Boulder County Ordinance 2023-1, Section II(B)
During High Danger Conditions, no Person shall: 1. Engage in any activity that produces or maintains, or attempts to produce or maintain, spark, flame, or other ignition source for an Open Fire; or 2. Sell or use Fireworks.
Propane/LP-gas tanks in unincorporated Boulder County follow the adopted 2021 International Fire Code. Tanks up to 500 gallons must be at least 10 feet from buildings and property lines; larger tanks need 25-50 feet. Keep vegetation within 10 feet of the tank cleared and never place a tank under a
Boulder County Building Publication B23 (per 2021 IFC 6104)
Keep combustible materials away from propane tanks. Vegetation within 10 feet of the tank must be kept cleared. Don't put the tank directly underneath a tree.
2 cities in Boulder County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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