Fire Regulations in Doña Ana County, NM (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Doña Ana County exempts recreational fires from the Fire Code's open-burning notification system: unlike a brush pile, a backyard fire pit doesn't require calling Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch before lighting it. Section 195-3A(9) sets that exception alongside the county's broader open-burning rules on setback, timing, and prohibited materials.
Doña Ana County Recreational Fire Exception
Light RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 195-3A(9)
D. Notification. Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority (MVRDA)(575) 526-0795 (Nonemergency number) shall be notified to determine whether or not burning is allowed for that day. MVRDA must also be notified prior to commencement and at the completion of open burning. Open burning shall begin no earlier than one hour after sunrise, and shall be extinguished no later than one hour before suns...
Fireworks
Doña Ana County limits unincorporated-area fireworks use to ground and handheld sparkling devices like fountains, sparklers, and wheels; aerial and audible fireworks, from bottle rockets to firecrackers, are banned for use countywide. Retail sales run June 20 through July 6 each year, with shorter windows around New Year's, Chinese New Year, September 16, and Cinco de Mayo.
Doña Ana County Fireworks Rules
Significant RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 200-5
Within the unincorporated areas of Dona Ana County, permissible fireworks are ground and handheld sparkling devices, including: Cone fountains. Crackling devices. Cylindrical fountains. Flitter sparklers. Ground spinners. Illuminating torches. Wheels. ... The following types of fireworks are nonpermissible fireworks, and their sale and use is prohibited within the unincorporated areas of Dona A...
Outdoor Burning
Doña Ana County's Fire Code bans open burning of trash, tires, plastics, and paper products outright and requires every other open burn to sit at least 300 feet from any structure. Burning is barred after dark, allowed only from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset, and residents must call Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch before striking a match.
Doña Ana County Open Burning Rules
Significant RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 195-3A(9)
Open burning should take place no less than 300 feet from any structure, and an extinguishing agent should be readily available. B. Prohibited open burning. Open burning that is reasonably offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions in accordance to State of New Mexico Air Quality Bureau or circumstances make such fire hazardous shall be prohibited. The ...
Smoke Detectors
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Doña Ana County must meet residential fire life-safety code, including working smoke detectors serviced with fresh batteries at least once a year, a posted egress map at each exit, and a serviced fire extinguisher within 10 feet of the kitchen.
Doña Ana County STR Smoke Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsCode of Doña Ana County § 280-4(G)
All applicable residential building and fire life safety codes shall be met, including but not limited to smoke detector installations and appropriate entrance/egress identification (via a map on the wall or the back of the door at each egress). Smoke detectors must be maintained and batteries replaced at least once per year. One currently serviced fire extinguisher must be placed within 10 fee...
Propane Storage
Doña Ana County caps residential propane storage at 2,000 gallons of water capacity per installation under its Fire Code amendments. Bigger multi-container dispensing stations and bulk facilities are exempt from that cap, but any installation holding more than 4,000 gallons must add fire protection under National Fire Protection Association Standard 58.
Doña Ana County Residential Propane Storage Limit
Some RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 195-3I(1)-(2)
Storage of liquefied petroleum gases. The geographic limitations referred to in Section 6104.2 of the IFC, in which storage and use of liquefied petroleum gas are restricted, shall be in accordance with the County Unified Development Code, DAC Code Chapter 350. The aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a 2,000-gallon water capacity in residential areas, except at a multi-c...
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