Middleton, WI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

08(2) of the City of Middleton Municipal Code bans outdoor burning of leaves, grass, wood, rubbish or other combustible material on any lot in the City without a burning permit from the Fire Department, but Subsection (b) carves out a permit-free path for recreational fire pits and fireplaces. To qualify, the unit must be a commercially manufactured outdoor recreational fireplace certified by a nationally recognized listing agency, or a non-commercially built brick fireplace with a chimney the Building Inspector has approved under the applicable building codes.

Only dry wood may be burned, entirely contained within an assembly that includes a bowl, pit or similar device plus a way to contain embers and sparks. Placement is restricted to at least fifteen feet from any structure and five feet from any lot line, unless the unit is a brick fireplace the Building Inspector has approved at a closer distance. The fire cannot be used on a wood deck, porch or patio, and the smoke cannot create a nuisance, obstruct vehicle travel, or raise health concerns for neighbors.

An ABC-rated fire extinguisher, charged garden hose, or other first-aid fire control must be on hand, and a responsible adult over eighteen must supervise the fire at all times and fully extinguish it before leaving. Use must stop when the Fire Department has declared hazardous conditions, including winds exceeding ten miles per hour or excessive dry weather, and operators must check with the Fire Department before lighting up.