Racine County, WI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Racine County, WI, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Setback
- At least 10 feet from property line
- Allowed hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Eligible property
- One- and two-family residences
- Banned materials
- No rubbish, oil, plastic, rubber
Summary
Residential open fires for cooking or recreation are allowed in Racine County if kept at least 10 feet from the property line and burned only between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Open fires for clean, dry, combustible refuse disposal on one- or two-family residential properties. The fires must be at least ten (10) feet from the property line and may not burn wet, combustible rubbish, garbage, oily substances, asphalt, plastic, rubber products or any material which creates dense smoke or causes a nuisance. Where a business is operated from the home or an attached structure, no business refuse may be burned under any condition. (Ord. No. 89-835, pt. 1(9.02), 7-25-89; Ord. No. 2006-37, 7-11-06) Cross reference(s)—Schedule of deposits for violation of the provisions in this section, § 5-3.
Sec. 13-55. Restrictions.
(a) Exceptions (1), (2), (3) and (4) contained in section 13-54 have no time limit and under this article do not require the approval of local fire protection authorities.
(b) Exceptions (5) and (6) contained in section 13-54 have no time limit but do require prior approval of local fire protection agencies.
(c) Exceptions (7) and (8) contained in section 13-54 are permitted only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. prevailing time.
(d) On such days when atmospheric conditions are unacceptable for burning, the department of natural resources will issue an air pollution advisory. When such an advisory has been issued, all local fire protection agencies shall not grant permission to burn under exceptions (5), (6), (7), and (8). Approval is subject to local and state fire protection regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 13-54(8) allows one- and two-family residential properties to burn clean, dry, combustible refuse in an open fire, provided it stays at least ten feet from the property line and never burns wet rubbish, garbage, oily substances, asphalt, plastic or rubber, or anything creating dense smoke. Sec. 13-55(c) limits these fires, along with other permit-free cooking and recreational fires, to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A home business may not burn business refuse under any circumstance, even on an otherwise-eligible residential property.
Violations & Fines
Burning inside 10 feet of the property line, outside the 8 a.m.–7 p.m. window, or burning prohibited materials violates Secs. 13-54(8) and 13-55(c), subject to the article's fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my property line can I put a fire pit in Racine County?
What hours can I have a backyard fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
How Racine County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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