8 rules for unincorporated Kootenai County, Idaho.
Verified from official government sources
In the unincorporated county, recreational and cooking fire pits need no permit but must be no larger than 3 feet across, kept at least 25 feet from any structure, with 10 feet of clearance around the pit, attended at all times, and a water hose or shovel on scene.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Recreation/Cooking Fire Regulations
Pit can be no larger than 3 feet in diameter. Fires shall not be within twenty-five (25) feet of a structure. A minimum of 10 feet around pit shall be maintained free of grass, shrubbery, weeds, vegetation, and any other combustible material, including overhanging limbs from trees.
Idaho lets consumers buy and use only 'nonaerial common fireworks' (ground spinners, fountains, sparklers, smoke devices, snakes). Aerial and firecracker-type fireworks are not legal for general use. Sale/use is limited to June 23-July 5 and Dec 26-Jan 1.
Idaho Code 39-2602(6)
"Nonaerial common fireworks" means any fireworks such as ground spinners, fountains, sparklers, smoke devices or snakes designed to remain on or near the ground and not to travel outside a fifteen (15) foot diameter circle... Nonaerial common fireworks do not include firecrackers, jumping jacks, or similar products.
Kootenai County does not impose a mandatory defensible-space brush-clearance ordinance on private homes. Clearing is strongly recommended by state and fire agencies; disposal by burning follows Idaho burn-permit and DEQ rules. Your fire district may have its own standards.
Outside city limits you may burn residential yard waste, but during closed fire season (May 10-Oct 20) a free Idaho burn permit is required from burnpermits.idaho.gov, and you must burn only during green air-quality days. No permits for garbage, plastics, tires or construction/trade waste.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Residential Yard Waste Burning Rules
Burning must be conducted during DAYLIGHT HOURS ONLY. All fires must be completely out by dark. All fires shall be a minimum of 25' from any structure (includes trees and fences). All fires must be attended at all times. Attendant must have a hose connected to a water supply, and/or a shovel on scene at all times.
North Idaho's forested Kootenai County is high wildfire risk, but the county has no formal WUI overlay zone. Instead, the Idaho Department of Lands imposes a closed fire season (May 10-Oct 20) and Stage 1/Stage 2 fire restrictions that can ban campfires, smoking and equipment use.
Kootenai County builds to the 2009 International Residential Code, which requires smoke alarms in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. New homes must also have carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas. Rules are enforced at construction.
Kootenai County Code 7-1-7(B) (Ordinance No. 450)
THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX G, as published by the International Code Council... Kootenai County hereby adopts the following construction codes, standards and requirements, except as amended by this chapter.
Recreational backyard campfires need no burn permit but must be 3 feet or less in diameter, at least 25 feet from any structure, with 10 feet of vegetation-free clearance, attended at all times, and burn only clean wood and dry yard debris.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue - Recreation/Cooking Fire Regulations
Recreational and Cooking Fires are permitted during night time hours. All fires must be attended at all times and put out prior to leaving. This means cold to the touch. Attendant must have a hose connected to a water supply, and/or a shovel on scene at all times.
Kootenai County adopts the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code and the state-approved International Fire Code, which govern propane (LP-gas) tanks and appliances under NFPA 58. LP-gas containers may not be used in basements or pits where heavier-than-air gas can collect.
Kootenai County Code 7-1-7(E), (H) (Ordinance No. 450)
THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE, as published by the International Code Council... THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, as published by the International Code Council and as adopted, amended, and approved by the State of Idaho and the Idaho State Fire Marshal.
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