Bowling Green, KY Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 12-6.02 (Residential/Recreational Burning) of the Bowling Green Code of Ordinances defines the rules for a backyard fire. The fire 'must be contained to a fire pit, either commercially built or one constructed with brick, concrete, stone, or metal,' and the fire must be completely contained in the pit. A burn permit (no fee) from the Bowling Green Fire Department is required only when burning permitted materials that are not contained to a fire pit; a recreational fire that is fully contained in a fire pit does not need a permit. All such fires must be attended at all times by an individual over 18, smoke and embers may not negatively affect neighboring property owners, and the fire may not create a risk of fire spread. Fuel is limited to natural vegetation under the Bowling Green Fire Department's residential burn rules; pallets, treated lumber, trash, plastics, and other synthetic or processed materials are prohibited. For non-contained burns, the permitted hours are 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. during the windows of February 15 to April 30 and October 1 to December 15 - the same windows as Kentucky's KRS 149.400 forest-fire hazard seasons - with a 30-ft setback from combustibles, a 4-ft max pile height, no ignition at wind speeds of 10 mph or higher, and a sufficient extinguishing method (water hose preferred). Portable fire pits are not allowed in Bowling Green city parks under the Department of Parks Rules and Regulations.