Clinton Township, MI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Clinton Township, MI, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Max diameter
- 40 inches (no cap over 1-acre parcels)
- Construction
- Non-combustible material, fully enclosed
- Setback, same lot
- 20 ft from any structure
- Setback, adjoining lot
- 50 ft from any structure
- Minimum fine
- $100 civil infraction (Section 1621.99)
- Adopted
- Ordinance 429, March 13, 2017
Summary
A backyard fire pit in Clinton Township must be built of non-combustible material like brick or block, fully enclosed on every side, and no more than forty inches across unless the lot is bigger than an acre. It also has to sit at least twenty feet from any structure on the same property and fifty feet from a structure next door.
“Fire pit” means a constructed area using non-combustible materials such as brick or block which is designed to completely enclose and contain fire on all sides and shall have no diameter measured wider than forty inches unless such fire pit is situated on a parcel greater than one acre. ... Fire pits, barbeques, and fireplaces as defined herein shall be permitted, but may not be located less than twenty feet from any occupied or unoccupied structure situated upon the property where the fire is occurring and shall not be less than fifty feet from any structure situated upon any adjoining property to the property from which the fire is occurring.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Local legislation current through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
01(b) of the Clinton Township Code defines a 'fire pit' as a constructed area built from non-combustible materials such as brick or block that completely encloses and contains the fire on all sides. The pit cannot measure more than forty inches in diameter unless it sits on a parcel larger than one acre, in which case the size cap does not apply. 02(c), then applies a dedicated setback to fire pits, barbeques and fireplaces together: none of the three may sit closer than twenty feet to any occupied or unoccupied structure on the same property where the fire burns, and none may sit closer than fifty feet to a structure on an adjoining property.
A fire extinguisher or garden hose has to be available at the burn site. The Township Fire Marshal can order any fire pit extinguished under subsection (b) if smoke, odor, or weather conditions make the burn hazardous or objectionable, independent of whether the pit otherwise meets the size and setback rules. These standards come from Ordinance 429, passed March 13, 2017.
Violations & Fines
A fire pit that exceeds the forty-inch diameter cap, lacks full non-combustible enclosure, or sits closer than the twenty- or fifty-foot setbacks is a civil infraction under Section 1621.99, carrying a fine of at least $100. The Fire Marshal may also order immediate extinguishment of a noncompliant or hazardous fire, on top of that fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a fire pit be in Clinton Township?
How far does my fire pit have to be from my house?
What material does a legal fire pit need to be made of?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clinton Township
How Clinton Township compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Clinton Township to another location·View the Michigan fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle fire pits & backyard fires.