Fire Regulations in Washoe County, NV (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
A backyard recreational fire in the TMFPD is limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, must burn only clean fuel (not rubbish), and must stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. No permit is needed at homes.
Backyard Recreational Fires Must Stay 25 Feet Clear
Some RestrictionsIFC 307.5 (adopted by TMFPD)
Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.
Fireworks
Washoe County bans possessing, using, storing or discharging any fireworks or other pyrotechnic materials anywhere in the unincorporated county unless the user holds a Nevada State Fire Marshal pyrotechnic license and any required fire-agency permit, under WCC 50.284. Unlicensed possession or sale is treated as intent to discharge and triggers seizure and forfeiture.
Fireworks Ban in Unincorporated Washoe County
Heavy RestrictionsWCC 50.284
No person may possess, use, store, or discharge fireworks or other materials with a pyrotechnic composition of any class within the boundaries of the unincorporated county unless that person is licensed by the Nevada State Fire Marshal as an assistant pyrotechnic operator or a pyrotechnic operator pursuant to Nevada Administrative Code sections 477.622 to 477.628, inclusive, and satisfies any a...
Brush Clearance
Washoe is a real wildfire county. TMFPD requires defensible space around structures: a 30-foot vegetation buffer in a moderate hazard zone, 50 feet in a high zone, and 100 feet in an extreme zone, under the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
Defensible Space Brush Clearance (30/50/100 ft)
Some RestrictionsIWUIC Table 603.2 (adopted by TMFPD)
Moderate hazard: 30 feet. High hazard: 50 feet. Extreme hazard: 100 feet. Distances are allowed to be increased due to site-specific analysis based on local conditions and the fire protection plan.
Outdoor Burning
All open burning in the Truckee Meadows Fire district requires a TMFPD permit and is closed for the season during summer. When open, burn hours are sunrise to noon, only the first 7 days of the month, with no visible smoke after 1 p.m.
Open Burning Requires a TMFPD Permit and Is Seasonal
Some RestrictionsTMFPD Open Burning Regulations
All open burning requires a permit from the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Open burning can only be conducted the first 7 days of the month, when conditions allow. Burn hours are sunrise to Noon, with no visible smoke after 1 p.m.
Wildfire Zones
Washoe County requires new construction, additions, and occupancy changes in wildland-urban interface areas to meet the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, chapter 5, adopted as part of the county Building Code effective July 1, 2025. Buildings legally existing before adoption keep their approved use unless they pose a danger to life or property, per WCC 100.101.2.6, enforced by the Building and Safety Division.
Washoe County Wildland-Urban Interface Code Rules
Some RestrictionsWCC § 100.101.2.6
The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, repair, maintenance and use of any building, structure or premises within the wildland-urban interface areas of this jurisdiction. Buildings or conditions in existence at the time of adoption of the IWUIC are allowed to have their use or occupancy continued, if such condition, use or occupancy was legal at the ti...
Smoke Detectors
Washoe County follows Nevada state law. NRS 477.140 requires hotels/motels with at least six guest rooms and apartment buildings with at least three units to equip each sleeping room and dwelling unit with an approved smoke detector.
Smoke Detectors Required by Nevada State Law
Some RestrictionsNRS 477.140(1)
The owner or operator of every hotel or motel which contains at least six guest rooms, or apartment building with at least three dwelling units, shall equip each room primarily used for sleeping in a hotel or motel and each dwelling unit in an apartment building with a smoke detector, the placement of which is approved by the authority.
Fire Regulations by City in Washoe County
1 cities in Washoe County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washoe County ordinances
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