Boise, ID Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Boise, ID, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Permit for ordinary recreational fire
- Not required
- Permit in WUI hazard areas
- Required, written
- Burn ban trigger
- AQI 60+ (any pollutant)
- WUI setback from vegetation
- 30 ft (15 ft for gas)
- Fire code violation penalty
- Up to $1,000 / 6 months
Summary
Boise waives the open-burning permit for backyard recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces, but bans them outright whenever the regional Air Quality Index hits 60 or higher for any pollutant.
Permits are not required for recreational fires or portable outdoor fireplaces conducted and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.5, or training fires approved by the Fire Chief. Permits are required for open burning, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces located in a wildland-urban interface hazard areas, and shall be approved by the fire code official prior to use, and be in accordance with Chapter 41 of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Boise City Code § 5-12-17 (amending IFC § 307.2) exempts recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces from the open-burning permit requirement: except in wildland-urban interface hazard areas, where a written permit from the fire code official is required first. Section 5-12-18 then overrides that exemption entirely: because the Code's fire-code definition classifies recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces as "open burning," all such fires are prohibited whenever the Idaho DEQ's Air Quality Index reaches 60 or higher for any pollutant, permit or no permit. In WUI hillside areas, Fire Code § 4121.7.1 additionally requires outdoor fireplaces, incinerators and grills to sit at least 30 feet from combustible vegetation (15 feet for propane or natural-gas units) with an approved spark arrestor.
Violations & Fines
Violating any fire code provision, including unpermitted burning in a WUI hazard area or burning during a high-AQI ban, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or 6 months in jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Boise?
Can I use my fire pit on a bad air quality day?
How far from vegetation does a fire pit need to be in the foothills?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
How Boise compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Boise to another location·View the Idaho fire regulations overview
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