Fire Regulations in Howard County, MD (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational, heating and cooking fires are allowed. Fires over 3 to 5 feet must sit at least 50 feet from any structure, cannot exceed 5 by 5 feet, keep a 10-foot safe area, be constantly attended, and burn only seasoned dry firewood. Call 410-313-2200 before lighting.
Backyard recreational fire rules in Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County Fire Prevention Code Title 17 §104; County Code Title 12 §108
The fire shall be located at a minimum distance of 50 feet from any structure. The fire shall not be more than 5 ft. x 5 ft. in dimension. A safe area of at least 10 feet will be maintained around the fire.
Fireworks
Howard County treats consumer fireworks, explosives, and model rocketry as fire-code violations unless a Maryland State Fire Marshal permit covers them. Ground-based sparkling devices, including cone and cylindrical fountains, cannot be sold, possessed, or discharged without that state permit and AHJ inspection. Illegal fireworks are subject to seizure, and violators face misdemeanor charges.
Howard County Bans Consumer Fireworks Without Permit
Heavy RestrictionsHoward County Code § 17.104 (Fire Prevention Code), Section 65.1.1.1
Except as provided in subsections 65.1.1.1, 65.1.5, 65.1.6, and 65.1.7 of this Code, the storage, use, and handling of explosives, fireworks, or model rocketry shall comply with the requirements of this chapter, NFPA standards referenced within this chapter, section 60.1 and section 60.2 of this Code, and the requirements set for forth in the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryl...
Brush Clearance
Howard County's Fire Prevention Code lets the Fire Official declare dry brush, noxious weeds, or grass over 12 inches tall a public fire nuisance on any lot, with an exception for land actively farmed or under conservation. Owners get a certified-mail notice and ten days to clear it before the county can abate it at their expense.
Howard County: Dry Brush Nuisance at 12 Inches
Some RestrictionsHoward County Code § 17.106
(a)What Constitutes a Public Nuisance.(1)This subsection does not apply to weeds, brush and grass on land actively devoted to:(i)Agricultural uses; or(ii)Conservation uses.(2)A Fire Official may declare the following materials a public nuisance, upon finding that they create or tend to create a fire hazard endangering life or property, or that they may interfere with emergency operations or end...
Outdoor Burning
Howard County bans open fires outright unless they fall into a narrow list of no-permit uses, like noncommercial cooking or recreational campfires, or the Health Officer issues written permission. Permitted burns must stay at least 500 yards from an occupied building or busy road, and dense-smoke materials like tires and roofing are always off-limits.
Open Burning Needs a Permit in Howard County
Significant RestrictionsHoward County Code § 12.108(b)
(b)Open fires means except as provided in this subsection, no person shall cause or allow an open fire.(1)An open fire shall be allowed without permit for:(i)Cooking of food for other than commercial reasons.(ii)Recreational purposes, such as campfires.(iii)Oil or gas fired salamanders or similar devices designed specifically for space heating or warming of outdoor works, etc., provided no visi...
Wildfire Zones
Howard County has no mapped wildfire-hazard or wildland-urban-interface zones. Humid central Maryland is not a wildfire-risk region. The practical fire rule is a temporary open-fire ban: no burning when officials declare one due to drought or dry conditions.
Wildfire zones in Howard County, Maryland
Some RestrictionsHoward County Fire Prevention Code Title 17 §104; County Code Title 12 §108
The fire may not be ignited or shall be extinguished... If a state or local public official or fire official declares a ban on open fires because of a drought, dry conditions, other atmospheric conditions, or general fire safety.
Smoke Detectors
Maryland law, not county ordinance, sets Howard County's smoke alarm rules. Public Safety Article Section 9-104 requires at least one alarm in every sleeping area, AC-wired units in homes built after July 1, 1975, and alarms with battery backup in units built after July 1, 1990. The State Fire Marshal, county fire marshals, or the fire chief enforce compliance.
Smoke Alarms Set by State Law in Howard County
Some RestrictionsMd. Code, Public Safety § 9-104
(a) (1) At least one smoke alarm shall be provided in each residential sleeping area. (2) Smoke alarms required in one- and two-family dwellings constructed before July 1, 1975, shall be battery powered or alternating current (AC) primary electric powered units.... (5) Smoke alarms required in a residential occupancy constructed on or after July 1, 1990, shall be alternating current (AC) primar...
Propane Storage
Residential propane storage follows the International Fire Code, adopted by Howard County through Fire Prevention Code Title 17, Section 104. The county's published rule keeps gas-fired grills and propane appliances at least 15 feet from buildings and off balconies and overhangs.
Propane and LP-gas storage rules in Howard County
Some RestrictionsHoward County Fire Prevention Code Title 17 §104 (International Fire Code)
Grills, hibachis, gas-fired grills, chimineas, luminaries, fire pits, or other similar devices... shall not be used or kindled on a balcony, under an overhanging portion of a building or structure, or within 15 feet of a building or structure.
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