Fire Regulations in Minnehaha County, SD (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Even during a declared Fire Danger Emergency, Ordinance MC34-04 exempts fire kept in a container sufficient to stop burning material, sparks, flames or hot ashes from escaping, so a properly enclosed fire pit is not "open burning." Any escape of embers is treated as proof the container failed to meet the exception.
Minnehaha County Contained-Fire Exception to Burn Ban
Some RestrictionsMC34-04, Section 3
For purposes of this ordinance, open burning means the intentional burning of any substance, whether natural or manmade, or the intentional casting off of any burning substance, whether natural or manmade, except the burning of such substance in a container sufficient so as to prohibit the escape of any of the burning substance, or any sparks, flames or hot ashes from the container. The escape ...
Outdoor Burning
When the County Commission declares a "Fire Danger Emergency" under Ordinance MC34-04, all open burning becomes illegal across the unincorporated county until the Board rescinds the declaration by resolution. Violators face a Class 2 misdemeanor, up to 30 days in jail, and a $200 fine.
Minnehaha County Fire Danger Emergency Burn Ban
Significant RestrictionsMC34-04, Section 2
If a "Fire Danger Emergency" is declared, all open burning of any substance shall be prohibited within any or all of the unincorporated area of Minnehaha County until such time as the declaration of "Fire Danger Emergency" has been rescinded by resolution of the Board.
Smoke Detectors
Minnehaha County's adopted 2021 International Residential Code requires a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every additional story of a one- or two-family dwelling. Alarms must be interconnected and kept clear of bathroom doorways, under Ordinance MC 62-22, Section R314.3.
Minnehaha County Smoke Alarm Placement Rule
Some Restrictions2021 IRC (Minnehaha County Ordinance MC 62-22) § R314.3
R314.3 Location. Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations: 1. In each sleeping room. 2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. 3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and habitable attics and not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an inter...
Fire Regulations by City in Minnehaha County
1 cities in Minnehaha County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Minnehaha County ordinances
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