Fire Regulations in Larimer County, CO (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Larimer County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Recreational fire pits, fireplaces and chimineas using clean, dry wood or charcoal are exempt from the county open-burn permit, but only when no fire ban is active. During the county's frequent fire restrictions, wood and charcoal fire pits are prohibited.
Fire Pit Rules in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Ordinance for Open Burning, Sec. 5
Emissions from fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas or other wood burning containers that have been approved and used for non-commercial, recreational or aesthetic purposes using clean, dry, untreated wood or charcoal.
Brush Clearance
Larimer County's Wildfire Resiliency Code requires defensible space around structures, organized into ignition zones: 0-5 ft (immediate), 5-30 ft (intermediate) and 30-100 ft (expanded). The immediate zone must be cleared of shrubs, slash and combustible debris.
Defensible Space and Brush Clearance in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsColorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (Larimer Cty.), Sec. 502.1.3
Remove all plantings including shrubs, slash, combustible mulch and other woody debris.
Outdoor Burning
You must obtain an open-burn permit from your fire protection district or the Sheriff's Office (plus an air-quality permit) before burning slash or vegetation on private land. All burning is banned during fire restrictions and Red Flag Warnings.
Open Burning Permit in Unincorporated Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Ordinance for Open Burning, Sec. 6
No person shall conduct Open Burning on privately owned property within the unincorporated area of Larimer County, Colorado, without first having obtained an Open Burn Permit from the legally constituted Fire Protection District in which the property is located or from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Wildfire Zones
Because of its wildfire history (Cameron Peak and High Park fires), Larimer County declares ALL unincorporated land a wildland-urban interface area. New and altered structures countywide must meet wildfire structure-hardening and defensible-space requirements.
Wildfire Hazard Zones in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsColorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (Larimer Cty.), Sec. 302.1
Because of the history of and potential for large, destructive wildland fires, all of unincorporated Larimer County is deemed a wildland-urban interface area.
Fire Regulations by City in Larimer County
2 cities in Larimer County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Larimer County ordinances
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