5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
Residential fire pits in DC are heavily restricted due to the open burning prohibition under 20 DCMR 604.1. Only recreational cooking fires at ground level with proper clearance from buildings are permitted. Open-flame devices must be at least 10 feet from any building under 12-H DCMR 308.1.4.
Most fireworks are illegal in Washington DC under 12-H DCMR 5601/5609. Only limited novelty items such as sparklers under 20 inches, fountains, and paper caps are permitted. Possession of illegal fireworks carries a minimum $2,000 fine.
DC Fire and EMS and the Department of Buildings enforce property maintenance under DCMR Title 14 Chapter 8 and the 2017 DC Fire Code (NFPA-based). Vacant lots and overgrown properties must be kept free of combustibles, debris, and excessive vegetation. Although wildfire risk is minimal, urban brush accumulation triggers fire code citations and abatement liens.
Open burning is prohibited in DC under 20 DCMR 604.1. Exceptions exist only for firefighter training, recreational cooking, and approved worker heating devices. Charcoal grills are banned on balconies and within 10 feet of buildings under 12-H DCMR 308.1.4.
DC has no designated wildfire hazard zones and no defensible space ordinance. The District's urban fabric, high building density, and minimal wildland-urban interface make wildfire risk negligible. Rock Creek Park and other NPS properties follow federal wildfire management plans. DC's fire code focuses on urban hazards rather than wildfire fuel reduction.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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