Fire pit rules in Kent County, MI — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
In Kent County, MI parks, Section 14 of the Kent County Parks & Recreation Regulations prohibits building, causing to be built, or setting any fire except within established barbecue grills. Fires may not be left unattended and must be thoroughly extinguished before leaving the site. The regulations were originally approved February 10, 2020 and most recently amended September 6, 2021. There is no county-wide fire-pit or open-burning ordinance for private property in Kent County — those rules are set by each township.
Kent County Parks & Recreation Regulations, Section 14 (Fires), states: "No person shall build or cause to be built or set any fire except within established barbecue grills. No person shall leave any fire, and all such fires shall be thoroughly extinguished prior to leaving the site." The rule applies inside all Kent County parks under the management of the Kent County Parks Department (e.g., Millennium Park, Provin Trails Park, Wahlfield Park, Townsend Park, Pickerel Lake/Fred Meijer Nature Preserve, Long Lake Park).
Because the regulation references only "established barbecue grills," portable fire pits, freestanding fire rings, chimineas, charcoal kettles brought in by visitors, and open campfires are not permitted in county parks. Established grills are those that have been installed by the Department at designated picnic and shelter areas. Section 30 (Violations) provides that a person who fails to comply will be asked to leave park property; failure to leave when asked constitutes criminal trespassing under Michigan law.
Note on private property: Kent County does not have a county-wide ordinance governing fire pits, recreational fires, or open burning on private property. Those rules are adopted by each city, village, or township within the county (e.g., Charter Township of Grand Rapids Ordinance No. 486 governs recreational fires in that township; Spencer Township has its own open-burning ordinance). For private-property fire-pit rules, residents must consult their own township or city.
Section 30 of the Kent County Parks & Recreation Regulations provides that any person not in compliance with the regulations (including Section 14 on fires) will be asked to leave park property by Department staff or law enforcement. Failure to leave the park when directed constitutes criminal trespassing under Michigan law (MCL 750.552). The regulations do not set a specific civil fine for the fire violation itself, but enforcement may also involve citation under township or state fire-code provisions if a fire causes damage.
Kent County, MI
Kent County has no county-level beekeeping ordinance; keeping honey bees in Kent County is governed primarily by Michigan state law. The Michigan Apiary Law ...
Kent County, MI
Kent County, MI does not impose any breed-specific legislation (BSL). The Kent County Animal Control Ordinance (Ord. No. 06-23-22-82, effective July 1, 2022)...
Kent County, MI
Kent County, MI does not regulate the keeping of backyard chickens or livestock through a uniform countywide ordinance — those rules are set by each city and...
Kent County, MI
In Kent County, MI, Section 11(b) of the Kent County Animal Control Ordinance (Ord. No. 06-23-22-82, effective July 1, 2022) requires owners and custodians t...
Kent County, MI
Kent County does not have a general county-wide tree-trimming ordinance covering private property — that is set by individual township and city codes. Howeve...
Kent County, MI
Every public swimming pool and public spa pool in Kent County — including hotel, motel, apartment, condominium, fitness-club, campground, school, and municip...
See how Kent County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.