Winnebago County, WI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Winnebago County, WI, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Setback
- 10 ft from structures or combustibles
- Max size
- 30-inch diameter, 2-foot height limit
- Wind limit
- No fires above 10 mph wind
- Attendant required
- Adult 18+ present at all times
- Scope
- Lake Winnebago frozen surface only
Summary
Winnebago County caps portable fire pits and recreational fires on Lake Winnebago's frozen surface at a 30-inch diameter and 2-foot height, requires a 10-foot clearance from structures, and bans them in winds over 10 mph.
(a) No recreational fire or portable fire pit shall be closer than ten (10) feet from any building, structure, or any other combustible material on Lake Winnebago.
(b) All recreational fires shall not have a diameter larger than thirty (30) inches, nor may the fire extend more than two (2) feet above the ice.
(c) No recreational fires shall be started or allowed to continue burning when the wind direction or wind speed causes smoke, embers, or other burning materials to be carried by the wind toward any building or other combustible materials, nor any time when the wind exceeds ten (10) miles per hour. Smoke from any recreational fires shall not create a nuisance for neighboring property owners along the shores of Lake Winnebago.
(d) All recreational fires shall be completely extinguished prior to abandoning the area adjacent to the recreational fire.
(e) At no time shall a recreational fire be allowed to burn unattended.
(f) Material for recreational fires shall not include rubbish, garbage, recyclable items,
Full Breakdown
Winnebago County Code Chapter 9, adopted under Wis. Stat. § 30.81(2), regulates recreational fires and portable fire pits built on the frozen surface of Lake Winnebago. Fires and fire pits must stay at least 10 feet from any building, structure, or combustible material, cannot exceed 30 inches in diameter, and cannot extend more than 2 feet above the ice. A fire must not be lit or kept burning when wind speed exceeds 10 mph or would carry smoke or embers toward structures, must have an attendant age 18 or older present at all times, and must be fully extinguished before the site is left. This governs the lake's ice surface, not backyard fire pits elsewhere in the county.
Violations & Fines
Violations are punishable under Winnebago County Code § 25.04's general penalty schedule, which sets forfeitures for county ordinance violations; conservation wardens and county law enforcement can cite fires that breach the setback, size, or wind limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule cover a fire pit in my backyard?
How far must a fire pit be from a fish shanty on the ice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
How Winnebago County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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