Detroit, MI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Fire pit size
- 3 feet diameter maximum
- Setback distance
- 10 feet from structures, trees, property line
- Allowed fuel
- Clean wood only, no burn barrels
- Penalty
- Up to $500 civil infraction fine
- Enforcement
- Detroit Fire Department
Summary
Detroit limits backyard campfires to fire pits no more than three feet in diameter, kept at least ten feet from buildings, fences, and property lines under the Fire Prevention Code.
(a)Open burning is prohibited in the City of Detroit unless specifically permitted by Subsection (b) of this section.(b)The following forms of open burning are permitted in the City to the extent that such burning does not cause a nuisance:(1)Campfires using clean wood on private property owned or leased by the person directly supervising the campfire and not within ten feet of any fixed flammable object or property line; and(2)The operation of an outdoor cooking unit in a location that is:a.Within the rear yard or the side yard of private property and not within ten feet of any fixed flammable object or property line;b.Not directly beneath a roof or enclosure; andc.Under direct supervision of the property owner, lessee, or owner of the unit. (Code 1984, § 19-1-112; Ord. No. 13-17, § 1(19-1-112), eff. 6-9-2017)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit's Fire Prevention Code bans open burning citywide except for the exceptions listed in Section 18-1-83. A backyard campfire must burn clean wood in a fire pit, defined in Section 18-1-81 as a secure enclosure of non-flammable material no more than three feet in diameter, on private property the person supervising it owns or leases, positioned at least ten feet from any fixed flammable object such as a building, tree, or utility fixture, or from the property line. The fire cannot become a nuisance. Outdoor cooking units like grills face the same ten-foot setback and must sit in the rear or side yard, not under a roof or enclosure. Violators face a municipal civil infraction fine up to $500 under Section 18-1-82.
Violations & Fines
Open burning outside the fire-pit and cooking-unit exceptions is a municipal civil infraction carrying a fine up to $500, enforced by the Detroit Fire Department under Section 18-1-82.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a campfire in my Detroit backyard?
What counts as a fire pit under Detroit's code?
Can I burn yard waste or trash in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
How Detroit compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Detroit to another location·View the Michigan fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle fire pits & backyard fires.