Fire pit rules in Yellowstone County, MT — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
A recreational or cooking fire pit needs no burn permit in Yellowstone County if it is 48 inches or less in diameter and used only to cook food or recreationally. Only natural vegetation and clean fuel may be burned; no permit exemption applies to burning waste.
Yellowstone County Disaster & Emergency Services exempts small recreational fire pits from the burn-permit requirement. Per the county's burn FAQ, no permit is needed if the pit 'Has a diameter of 48 inches or less' and 'Is only being used to cook food/recreationally.' Larger fires, or any fire used to dispose of yard debris, require a burn permit. Prohibited materials (plastics, treated wood, tires, asphalt shingles, garbage, etc.) may never be burned even in an exempt fire pit. You must keep water, tools and people on hand to control the fire, and it must be attended until fully out. Active Stage 1 fire restrictions can suspend even recreational fires.
Burning outside the exemption without a permit is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $500 and/or 6 months in jail; unsafe fires can trigger felony arson charges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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