Fire pit rules in Detroit, MI — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Detroit regulates recreational fires under the Detroit Fire Prevention and Protection Code (City Code Chapter 19), which adopts NFPA 1 Fire Code with local amendments. Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Activities are covered in Division 5 of the chapter. A 'campfire' is defined as an outdoor fire in a fire pit for recreation or cooking — not for waste disposal — and may only burn clean wood.
The Detroit Fire Prevention and Protection Code (City Code Chapter 19) is built on the NFPA 1 Fire Code (2015 edition) with city amendments, and Division 5 of the chapter covers Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Activities. Detroit's definition of a campfire is an outdoor fire contained in a fire pit and intended for recreation or cooking — explicitly not a fire intended for the disposal of waste. Only 'clean wood' (as defined in the code) may be burned: treated lumber, painted wood, household trash, leaves, plastics, and similar materials are prohibited. Recreational fires must be conducted in a manner that does not create a nuisance, produce excessive smoke, or threaten adjacent structures. NFPA 1 baseline standards (incorporated by Chapter 19) generally call for portable outdoor fireplaces and recreational fires to be located a safe distance from any structure or combustible material and to be attended by a responsible adult with extinguishing means readily available until the fire is fully extinguished. The Detroit Fire Marshal enforces the chapter and may order any fire causing a nuisance or hazard to be extinguished immediately.
Failure to comply with Chapter 19 Division 5 — fires that create a nuisance, produce excessive smoke, burn prohibited materials, or are left unattended — is a fire-code violation enforceable by the Detroit Fire Marshal. Officers may order immediate extinguishment, issue citations, and refer repeat violators for prosecution. Suppression costs may be recovered if the fire department must respond.
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