Dearborn, MI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Dearborn, MI, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Scope
- Citywide, City of Dearborn
- Refuse burning
- Brush, leaves, grass banned outright
- Enforcement
- Fire Dept. and Police Dept.
- Penalty
- Civil infraction per violation
- Repeat offense
- 3rd in 12 months = misdemeanor
Summary
Dearborn bans open burning, outdoor burning, and in-ground fire pits citywide unless a specific exception in Sec. 10-7 applies, with violators charged as civil infractions.
(a) This section applies to all outdoor burning and open burning within the City of Dearborn. ... (d) General prohibition on open burning. Open burning, outdoor burning, and burning in in-ground fire pits are prohibited unless specifically permitted by this section. (e) Open burning of refuse. Open burning of refuse is prohibited including the burning of brush, leaves, and grass clippings.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 10-7 applies to all outdoor and open burning within the City of Dearborn. Subsection (d) prohibits open burning, outdoor burning, and burning in in-ground fire pits outright unless a listed exception applies, such as grilling on one-family detached premises or a compliant patio wood-burning unit. Subsection (e) separately bans open burning of refuse, including brush, leaves, and grass clippings, with no exception available for that category. Both the fire department and police department are authorized to enforce the section. A violation is a civil infraction, and a third violation within a 12-month period escalates to a misdemeanor charge.
Violations & Fines
Any violation is a civil infraction; a third offense within 12 months becomes a misdemeanor. Fire and police departments both hold enforcement authority under Sec. 10-7(g)-(h).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or brush in my yard in Dearborn?
What happens if I violate Dearborn's open burning ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
How Dearborn compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Dearborn to another location·View the Michigan fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle outdoor burning.