Outdoor burning rules in Dane County, WI — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Open burning in unincorporated Dane County is regulated by Wisconsin DNR (Wis. Stat. §26.12) and the Dane County Sheriff. Burning permits are required for most open fires during dry conditions.
The Wisconsin DNR regulates open burning under Wis. Stat. §26.12. A DNR burning permit is required for burning brush, crop residues, and similar materials outside of fire-restricted periods. Dane County does not have a separate county burning ordinance but enforces state regulations. Burning permits can be obtained online from the Wisconsin DNR. During periods of high fire danger, the DNR may prohibit all open burning statewide. Burning of trash, garbage, and construction materials is generally prohibited statewide.
Burning without a required DNR permit is subject to fines. Burning prohibited materials can result in additional penalties. Contact the Wisconsin DNR or Dane County Sheriff for violations.
Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities regulate leaf blowers under local noise ordinances. Wisconsin has no statewide gas blower ban. Madison General Ordinance 24.04 imp...
Dane County, WI
Madison enforces a citywide Alternate Side Parking rule (MGO §12.76) from March 15 to March 14 annually between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fitchburg, Middleton, Ve...
Dane County, WI
EV charger installations in Dane County are governed by the Wisconsin DSPS Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and state electrical code SPS 316 based on NEC Article...
Dane County, WI
Dane County municipalities allow wood (cedar, treated pine), vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and composite fencing. Madison General Ordinance §28 zoning spe...
Dane County, WI
Wisconsin UDC SPS 390 and the state-adopted ISPSC require all residential pools and spas to be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, sel...
Dane County, WI
Native plantings are encouraged across Dane County. Madison (MGO §23.29) explicitly permits natural lawns with registered plans. Dane County Land and Water R...
See how Dane County's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.