Detroit, MI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Detroit, 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
- Default rule
- Open burning prohibited citywide
- Allowed
- Clean-wood campfire in a fire pit
- Allowed
- Outdoor cooking unit, rear/side yard
- Clearance required
- 10 feet from structures, property line
- Fine
- Up to $500 civil infraction
Summary
Detroit prohibits open burning citywide unless it falls into one of two narrow exceptions: a supervised clean-wood campfire in a fire pit, or an outdoor cooking unit, both kept clear of structures and property lines.
(a)Open burning is prohibited in the City of Detroit unless specifically permitted by Subsection (b) of this section.(b)The following forms of open burning are permitted in the City to the extent that such burning does not cause a nuisance:(1)Campfires using clean wood on private property owned or leased by the person directly supervising the campfire and not within ten feet of any fixed flammable object or property line; and(2)The operation of an outdoor cooking unit...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Detroit City Code § 18-1-83 bans open burning throughout the city unless the fire is a campfire using clean wood in a fire pit on private property the operator owns or leases, kept at least ten feet from any building, tree, or property line, or an outdoor cooking unit (grill, barbecue, smoker) run in a rear or side yard, not under a roof, and directly supervised. Both must avoid causing a nuisance. The Fire Department enforces the division, and Section 18-1-84 makes the property owner liable for fire-suppression costs from any burn.
Violations & Fines
Unlawful open burning is a municipal civil infraction carrying a civil fine of up to $500.00 per Sec. 18-1-82(c); the property owner is also liable for fire suppression costs and other damage under Sec. 18-1-84.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or yard waste in my Detroit backyard?
How close can a Detroit campfire be to my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Detroit
How Detroit compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Detroit 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.