There is no Milwaukee County ordinance for backyard recreational fires; those follow each city, village, or town fire code plus DNR open-burning rules. On county parks, Ordinance 47.05(4) allows a fire only in a place the county provides.
Backyard recreational fires in the Milwaukee area are governed by municipal fire codes and DNR open-burning rules (NR 429), not by a county ordinance. Each city, village, or town decides whether small fires are allowed, what fuels may be burned, setbacks, and whether a permit is needed; South Milwaukee and Brookfield, for example, regulate portable fire pits. Milwaukee County's authority is confined to its parks: Ordinance 47.05(4) states no person shall make or kindle a fire for any purpose except in places provided therefor, and then subject to such regulations as may be prescribed. In practice, loose campfires are not allowed on park land, and cooking fires are permitted only in enclosed metal grills.
On county park land, an unlawful fire under Ordinance 47.05 draws a forfeiture up to $100 and up to 90 days in default. On private property, prohibited-recreational-fire penalties are set by the local municipal fire code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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