Milwaukee, WI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Milwaukee, WI, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Clearance from combustibles
- 15 feet minimum
- Container required
- Metal, concrete or brick, covered
- Attendance
- Constantly attended until out
- Extinguisher on hand
- One 4-A rated unit minimum
- Grill exemption
- Charcoal/LP grills, 1-2 family homes only
Summary
Milwaukee requires open burning to happen only in an approved, covered metal, concrete or brick container kept at least 15 feet from any combustible construction, with a narrow exemption for charcoal or LP gas grills at one- and two-family homes.
Open burning shall be conducted only in an approved and listed container or a substantial burner built of metal, concrete or brick, well covered or screened to prevent the escape of sparking and burning embers. A burner shall not be operated within 15 feet of any combustible construction. Open flame cooking devices, including charcoal burners and LP gas burners, are exempt from this requirement for one and 2-family dwellings.
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 214 of Milwaukee's Building and Zoning Code, any open burning in the city, the category that covers backyard fire pits and burn barrels, must happen inside an approved, listed container or a substantial metal, concrete or brick burner that is covered or screened to stop sparks and embers from escaping. The container cannot sit within 15 feet of any combustible construction. Charcoal grills and LP gas burners are exempt from that 15-foot rule, but only at one- and two-family dwellings. Whoever lights the fire must watch it the entire time it burns and keep at least one 4-A rated portable fire extinguisher, or equivalent gear like a hose or bucket of sand, ready to use.
Violations & Fines
The commissioner of neighborhood services, and by delegation the police, enforce the open burning rules; an uncovered container, a fire pit too close to structures, or one left unattended is a code violation inspectors can order corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a fire pit be from my house or fence in Milwaukee?
What kind of container can I use for a backyard fire in Milwaukee?
Do I have to watch a fire pit while it burns in Milwaukee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
How Milwaukee compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Milwaukee to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle fire pits & backyard fires.