Greeley, CO Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Greeley, CO, 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
- Governing section
- Greeley Municipal Code § 12-2
- Permit authority
- Fire authority / fire chief
- Backyard cooking exemption
- Fireplaces, stoves, barbecues, dry fuel only
- Allowed burning hours
- Sunrise+1hr to 4:30 p.m., Mon–Sat
- Structure setback
- 50 feet from any structure
Summary
Greeley outlaws burning refuse, weeds, tires and other flammable material anywhere in the city unless the fire department issues a burning permit for a narrow list of approved purposes.
(b)Prohibitions.(1)It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to set on fire or burn any refuse or other waste material in any receptacle or upon the ground except as described in subsection (c) of this section.(2)It is unlawful for any person to burn weeds, leaves, limbs, trees, lawns, gardens, rubber tires, plastics, wire, insulation and other smoke-producing materials or other flammable materials except under the conditions of subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 12-2 makes it unlawful to burn refuse, waste, weeds, leaves, tires, plastics or other flammable material anywhere in Greeley without a fire-authority permit. Permits are limited to specific uses, agricultural ditch and fence-row burning, natural-gas well flaring, sewer-plant waste-gas flaring, and instructional, recreational or ceremonial fires, each with conditions like a 50-foot setback from structures and hours from one hour after sunrise to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Backyard cooking fires in barbecues or fireplaces using dry wood, coal or paper are exempt and need no permit. The fire authority can revoke any permit or ban all burning during hazardous conditions.
Violations & Fines
Burning without a permit, or outside permit conditions, is a Code violation; the fire authority may revoke permits and require a $100/hour standby fee if extinguishing equipment is inadequate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard in Greeley, CO?
Are backyard barbecues and fireplaces allowed without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greeley
How Greeley compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Greeley to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.