Fire Regulations in Island County, WA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Island County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
A recreational fire in unincorporated Island County can be built without a permit if it stays no bigger than 3 feet across by 2 feet high and sits at least 25 feet from combustibles, structures, timber, or power lines. Anything larger needs a bonfire permit from Health Services.
Recreational Fire / Fire Pit Rules, Island County
Light RestrictionsIsland County Code § 9.10.040(D), (G)
Types of burning allowed without a permit. Outdoor recreational fires that are three (3) feet in diameter by two (2) feet high, or smaller, are allowed without a permit within the limited outdoor burning areas as well as all other unincorporated areas in Island County so long as such recreational fires comply with section 9.40.340 if on public park lands and are not located on DNR protected lan...
Fireworks
In unincorporated Island County, consumer fireworks may only be used July 3 (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.), July 4 (9 a.m. to midnight), and New Year's Eve into January 1 (6 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Mortar fireworks are banned outright, and a Fire Marshal burn ban can shut off use even during those windows.
Fireworks Rules, Unincorporated Island County
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 9.08A.010, 9.08A.040
Fireworks in Island County are governed by the state fireworks law, chapter 70.77 RCW, and accompanying state regulations provided in chapter 212-17 WAC, as well as by this chapter. The more restrictive provisions apply, in case of any conflict between state and local regulations. In addition to fireworks prohibited by state law as identified above, mortar fireworks are prohibited in Island Cou...
Outdoor Burning
Unincorporated Island County requires a permit from the Health Services Director for residential burning, bonfires, and land clearing under Chapter 9.10. Residential and land-clearing burning are banned outright in the Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland, and Langley Urban Growth Areas.
Outdoor Burning Permits, Island County
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code § 9.10.040
Outdoor burning is only allowed in Island County if such outdoor burning complies with this chapter and chapter 173-425 WAC. ... Limited outdoor burning areas. Pursuant to WAC 173-425-040, residential burning and land clearing burning are prohibited within the limited outdoor burning areas. The limited outdoor burning areas are the following Urban Growth Areas (UGAs): The Oak Harbor Urban Growt...
Propane Storage
Island County doesn't print its own propane storage limits; it adopts the standard by reference. Section 14.01A.010(A)(1)(c) adopts the International Mechanical Code for unincorporated Island County but replaces that code's liquefied petroleum gas provisions with NFPA 58, the national standard for LP-gas storage and handling, plus ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 for fuel gas piping.
Island County Propane Installation Standard
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code § 14.01A.010(A)(1)(c)
c.The International Mechanical Code, published by the International Code Council except that the standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code);
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