Fire Regulations in Yakima County, WA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yakima County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Yakima County bans outdoor fires without a written permit under YCC § 13.12.100, but a fire pit, barbecue or fireplace on inhabited property is exempt if kept at least 30 feet from combustible material or non-fire-resistive vegetation. The rule applies countywide since risk-factor classification covers all of unincorporated Yakima County.
Yakima County Outdoor Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 13.12.100
A104.7.1 General. No person shall build, ignite or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind for any purpose in or on any Wildland-Urban interface area, except by the authority of a written permit from a regulatory agency having jurisdictional authority. Exceptions: 1. Outdoor fires within inhabited premises or designated campsites where such fires are in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, ou...
Fireworks
Unincorporated Yakima County bans selling, possessing, using or discharging fireworks outright under Yakima County Code section 8.46.015; the only exception is a public display run under a County Fire Marshal permit. RCW 70.77.250 backs the ban with state enforcement, a $1,000-per-day civil penalty cap, and a one-year delay before any stricter local rule can take effect.
Yakima County Fireworks Ban and Permits
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 70.77.250(1), (4), (6)
(1) The chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection, shall enforce and administer this chapter. ... (4) The chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection, shall adopt those rules as are necessary to ensure statewide minimum standards for the enforcement of this chapter. Counties and cities shall comply with these state rules. Any...
Outdoor Burning
On land the Washington Department of Natural Resources protects within Yakima County, from orchard slash to logging debris, a written burning permit from DNR is required before lighting fires, and burning without one, or breaking permit conditions, can draw a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day.
Yakima County Open Burning Permit Law
Significant RestrictionsRCW 76.04.205(1)-(4)
(1) Except in certain areas designated by the department or as permitted under rules adopted by the department, a person shall have a valid written burning permit obtained from the department to burn: (a) Any flammable material on any lands under the protection of the department; or (b) Refuse or waste forest material on forestlands protected by the department. (2) To be valid a permit must be ...
Wildfire Zones
Unincorporated Yakima County adopts the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code and maps every parcel into a risk-factor class based on slope and fuel load, from Non-Rated or Low up to Extreme Hazard. The classification, set under Chapter 13.12, drives construction standards, water-supply requirements and permit conditions administered by the building official and fire marshal.
Yakima County Wildfire Risk Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 13.12.050 (WUIC § 302.1)
§ 13.12.050. Amendment to Chapter 3, Section 302, Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designations. ... 302.1 Declaration. Specific boundaries of natural or man-made features of Wildland-Urban interface areas shall be as shown on the Wildland-Urban interface area map. These areas shall include all areas of Yakima County as identified by risk factor classification according to Appendix C. Risk factor ...
Smoke Detectors
Existing homes and apartments in unincorporated Yakima County must have smoke alarms in every sleeping area, on each story, and outside bedrooms under the county's adopted Property Maintenance Code. The Building and Fire Safety Division enforces the standard, with interconnection and battery-backup rules for retrofits.
Yakima County Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 13.11.030 (IPMC §§ 804.2, 804.2.1, 804.2.1.2)
[F] 804.2 Single – and multiple-station Smoke alarms. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies in accordance with Sections 804.2.2 and 804.2.3. [F] 804.2.1 Where required. Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 804.2.1.1 through 804.2.1.4. Interconnection and ...
Propane Storage
Yakima County requires a Fire Code permit before installing, modifying or using an LP-gas system, but exempts small residential-scale tanks: containers of 500 gallons water capacity or less, or multiple-tank systems totaling 500 gallons or less, need no permit when serving a Group R-3 home or seasonal agricultural weather protection.
Yakima County Propane Storage Permits
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 13.10.050 (IFC §§ 105.6.27, 105.7.16)
105.6.27 LP-gas. An operational permit is required for: 1. Storage and use of LP-gas. Exception: A permit is not required for individual containers with a 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity or less or multiple container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 500 gallons (1893 L), serving occupancies in Group R-3 or when used for seasonal weather protection in agricultural operations...
Fire Regulations by City in Yakima County
1 cities in Yakima County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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