Des Moines, IA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Des Moines, IA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 46-72, Des Moines Municipal Code
- Food-fire exception
- Charcoal/wood grill fires need no permit
- Fire pit permit
- Separate permit under § 46-73
- First-offense fine
- Up to $750 civil penalty
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $1,000 civil penalty
Summary
Des Moines requires a fire prevention bureau permit before any recreational backyard fire, unless it's a food-prep fire in an approved appliance with air intake, a cooking grate and a non-combustible lid.
Section 105.5.36.1 Permit Required. A permit shall be obtained prior to conducting any type of recreational fire. Exception: Outdoor fireplaces or grills burning untreated wood or charcoal used solely for the non-commercial preparation of food. Such fires shall be extinguished upon completion of the food preparation. Such fires shall be conducted in an appliance that: provides for air entrainment underneath the fuel source, provides a cooking grate, and provides a non-combustible cover.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Des Moines Municipal Code § 46-72 requires a permit from the fire prevention bureau before lighting any recreational fire, including a backyard bonfire or fire ring. The only carve-out is a food-preparation fire in untreated wood or charcoal, and even that must burn in an appliance with underfloor air entrainment, a cooking grate and a non-combustible cover, and must be put out once cooking ends. A separate permit covers gas or wood open-flame fire pits and decorative devices under § 46-73, with one- and two-family homes exempted from that fire-pit permit. Skipping either permit is enforceable as a municipal infraction under § 46-3 and § 46-4.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required permit is a misdemeanor or municipal infraction: up to $750 for a first offense within a year, up to $1,000 for repeat violations, enforced by the Des Moines Fire Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Des Moines?
Can I have a bonfire without a permit if I'm just cooking?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
How Des Moines compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa fire regulations overview
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