Denver, CO Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Denver, CO, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Written permit from Dept. of Public Health
- Cooking devices
- Exempt if used exclusively for cooking
- Max penalty
- $2,000 per violation per day
- Permit factors
- Location, weather, fire dept compliance weighed
Summary
Denver requires a written open burning permit for backyard fires, including fire pits and chimineas, unless the device is used exclusively for noncommercial outdoor cooking: violators face fines up to $2,000 per day.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in or allow open burning within the city except when a written permit has been issued by the department; provided, however, that permits will not be required for fires in devices designed and used exclusively for outdoor noncommercial cooking of food for human consumption nor for smokeless or safety flares used for the combustion of gases or used to indicate some danger to the public.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
The Department of Public Health and Environment defines 'open burning' to include any fire in an open container, pit, vessel or chimenea, the backyard fire-pit setup most homeowners use. Under Sec. 4-24(a), that kind of fire is unlawful without a written permit, and the department weighs the burn's location near structures, weather conditions, compliance with Denver Fire Department safety rules, and whether the fire serves any purpose beyond aesthetics before issuing one. The only automatic exemption is for devices built and used solely for outdoor noncommercial cooking, plus safety flares. Everything else, recreational fire pits burning for ambiance, not food, needs sign-off first.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted open burning is a chapter-wide violation punishable by a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation per day, assessed by the Department of Public Health and Environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in my Denver backyard?
Is a chiminea considered open burning in Denver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
How Denver compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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