Woodbury, MN Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

A typical backyard fire in Woodbury - in a fire pit, ring or chiminea for warmth or recreation - is treated as a 'recreational fire' under City Code Section 15-1, Subdivision 1, and the city's Recreational Fire Guidelines. No permit is required, but the operator must satisfy every condition or be ordered to put the fire out. The fire may not exceed 3 feet in diameter with a 2-foot maximum flame height. It must sit on the owner's property at least 5 feet from property lines and at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; a manufactured portable outdoor fireplace must be at least 15 feet from a structure and used per the manufacturer's instructions. Only clean, dry, natural wood may be burned - never treated or painted wood, plastic, rubber, leaves or grass. Burning is permitted only between 8 a.m. and midnight daily, and is prohibited when wind speed exceeds 10 mph. Flammable or combustible liquid accelerants are not allowed. The fire must be constantly attended and supervised by an adult until completely extinguished, and a connected garden hose or other extinguishing means must be readily available. If the Minnesota DNR has issued a burning ban, all backyard recreational fires are prohibited. These limits are looser than the brush fire permit rules (Section 8-3), which apply to larger debris burns.