Lakewood, CO Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Lakewood, 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
- Rubbish/debris burning
- Always unlawful
- Open Burning permit from
- Fire protection district
- Recreational fire threshold
- 3 ft diameter, 2 ft high
- Enforced by
- Police, Rangers, fire districts
Summary
In Lakewood, Colorado, burning rubbish or debris is always unlawful, and any Open Burning larger than a recreational fire requires a permit from the West Metro or Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District.
A.It shall be unlawful for any person to start or maintain a fire that is in violation of fire restrictions or a fire ban declared pursuant to this chapter.B.It shall be unlawful to allow a fire to burn in a careless manner, to leave any fire unattended, or to fail to completely extinguish any fire.C.It shall be unlawful to burn rubbish or debris.D.It shall be unlawful to perform Open Burning without a permit from a fire district.E.It shall be unlawful to allow a fire to burn under an approved exemption permit issued from a fire district without adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible preventive measures include, but are not limited to, the following items:I.Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.II.Shovels, fire extinguishers or other extinguishing agents readily available.III.Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during a fire burning activity. (Ord. O-2013-13 § 1, 2013).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 14 | Zoning Ordinance: ?).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 9.39 of the Lakewood Municipal Code lets the City Manager declare fire restrictions or a fire ban during high wildfire danger, and Section 9.39.030 sets standing rules: it is always unlawful to burn rubbish or debris, to leave a fire unattended, or to fail to fully extinguish one. 'Open Burning', any outdoor fire bigger than a 3-foot-diameter, 2-foot-tall recreational fire, is unlawful anywhere in Lakewood without a permit from the West Metro or Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District. Lakewood Police, Park Rangers, and the fire districts jointly enforce the chapter under § 9.39.040.
Violations & Fines
Burning rubbish/debris or performing Open Burning without a fire-district permit violates § 9.39.030; leaving any fire unattended or failing to extinguish it is also unlawful, enforced by Police, Park Rangers, or the fire districts under § 9.39.040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to burn debris in Lakewood, CO?
Who enforces Lakewood's burning rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
How Lakewood compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Lakewood 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.
Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jefferson County handle outdoor burning.