Novi, MI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Novi, MI, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Recreational fire setback
- 25 ft from structure/combustibles
- Bonfire setback
- 50 ft (barbecue pit exempt)
- Portable fireplace setback
- 15 ft, waived for 1-2 family homes
- Attendance
- constant, until fully extinguished
- Extinguisher rating
- minimum 4-A
- Penalty
- misdemeanor, up to $500 and/or 90 days jail
Summary
A recreational fire, including a backyard fire pit, in the City of Novi must stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and must be watched constantly with a fire extinguisher or other suppression equipment on hand until it is fully out, under the amended Fire Code § 307.4.2.
307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of any structure. ... 307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. ... 307.5 Attendance. Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.
Full Breakdown
Novi's Fire Code amendment sets tiered setbacks under Section 307.4. General open burning must stay 50 feet from a structure, but a bonfire under Section 307.4.1 must also stay 50 feet away unless it is contained in a barbecue pit. Section 307.4.2 sets a narrower rule for recreational fires, which includes fire pits: they cannot be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and any condition that could let the fire spread within that 25-foot zone must be eliminated before ignition. Portable outdoor fireplaces get an even smaller 15-foot buffer under Section 307.4.3, and that buffer does not apply at all to one- and two-family dwellings.
Section 307.5 requires every open burn, bonfire, recreational fire and portable fireplace to be constantly attended from ignition to extinguishment, with a portable fire extinguisher rated at least 4-A, or equivalent equipment such as dirt, sand, a water barrel, garden hose or water truck, available for immediate use. The fire code official can order any recreational fire extinguished immediately if it becomes hazardous or is unpermitted, under Section 307.3. These amendments sit within Chapter 15, Article II, adopted under Sec. 15-16 and 15-17, which incorporate the 2015 International Fire Code as the Fire Code of the City of Novi.
Violations & Fines
A recreational fire that violates the 25-foot setback or attendance requirement is enforced as a fire code violation, a misdemeanor under the amendment to Section 109.4 carrying up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. The fire code official may also order the fire extinguished on the spot under Section 307.3 if it creates a hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from my house can I put a fire pit in Novi?
Do I have to watch a fire pit while it burns?
Is a portable fire pit or chimenea treated differently from a fire pit dug in the ground?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Novi
How Novi compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Novi to another location·View the Michigan fire regulations overview
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