Springfield, MO Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Springfield, MO, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Max size
- 5 ft x 5 ft x 5 ft
- Max duration
- 4 hours; out by midnight
- Fuel
- Seasoned dry firewood only
- Wind limit
- Under 15 mph
- Supervision
- Responsible adult required throughout
Summary
Springfield caps backyard bonfires at 5 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet, seasoned dry firewood only, a 4-hour burn limit ending by midnight, and adult supervision throughout under the city's Fire Code.
307.4.1.1 Bonfire materials, size, and duration of burning. A bonfire shall not be more than 5 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet. Fuel for a bonfire shall consist only of seasoned dry firewood and shall be ignited with a small quantity of paper. Bonfires shall not burn longer than 4 hours and must be extinguished by midnight of the day of the permit. Bonfires shall meet all other requirements set forth in this code for outside fires, to include a means of extinguishment, appropriate distances from structures, wind speed less than 15 miles per hour, and a responsible adult supervising the entire duration of the burn.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Alongside the 50-foot setback rule, City Code § 54-32 (adopting and amending the International Fire Code) sets detailed containment limits at Section 307.4.1.1. A bonfire cannot exceed 5 feet by 5 feet by 5 feet, and its fuel must be limited to seasoned dry firewood, ignited only with a small amount of paper. Burn time is capped at 4 hours and the fire must be extinguished by midnight of the permit date. The same section layers on general requirements shared with other open fires: a means of extinguishment on hand, appropriate distance from structures, sustained wind under 15 mph, and a responsible adult supervising the burn from start to finish.
Violations & Fines
Building an oversized, improperly fueled, unsupervised, or overlong backyard bonfire in Springfield violates City Code § 54-32 (Fire Code § 307.4.1.1) and is punishable under § 1-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a backyard fire be in Springfield, MO?
What fuel is allowed for a Springfield backyard bonfire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
How Springfield compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Springfield to another location·View the Missouri fire regulations overview
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