Fire pit rules in Burlington, VT — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Chapter 19 lets Burlington residents use small recreational fire pits if they burn only clean wood, sit a safe distance from structures, and have a written burn permit issued by the Burlington Fire Department.
Burlington Fire Department administers all open-burning rules in the city under Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances and Vermont's burn-permit framework. Residential recreational fires are limited to small contained pits, chimineas, or manufactured fireplaces burning seasoned wood only. Fires must sit at least the required clearance from buildings, decks, and property lines, and an adult must be present with a charged hose or extinguisher. Trash, leaves, treated wood, and construction debris may not be burned. BFD can suspend burn permits during dry conditions or air-quality alerts, and fires must be fully extinguished before being left unattended.
BFD orders to extinguish; civil penalties under Ch. 19; liability for fire-suppression costs and damages if a fire spreads to neighboring property.
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