Ada County, ID Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Ada County Code section 5-2-7-2(D) treats recreational and warming fires as exempt from the county's open burning rules, but only if the operator follows five conditions. First, the fire cannot burn within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless it is contained in a barbecue pit; anything that could let the fire spread within that 25-foot ring has to be cleared before lighting. Second, a hose connected to a water supply, or other approved fire extinguishing equipment, must be readily available at the site.

Third, a responsible and knowledgeable person must constantly attend the fire until it is completely extinguished, so no unattended pits or bonfires. Fourth, the fire cannot violate an air pollution alert issued under chapter 10 of the same title, the Ada County clean air ordinance, which can force a halt during inversions or burn bans. Fifth, the county requires the fire be extinguished immediately if its smoke becomes a public nuisance or hazardous condition, regardless of the underlying air quality status. The code's own definition of a recreational or warming fire, at section 5-2-7-1, caps the fuel area at 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, and excludes fires contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill, or barbecue pit from that size cap because those appliances are separately regulated.

Anything larger, or built for waste disposal rather than pleasure, ceremonial, cooking, or religious purposes, falls back under the county's general open burning restrictions, which add a 50-foot structure setback, daylight-only burning hours, and a ban on unattended or overnight smoldering.