Middleton, WI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Middleton, 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.
Key Facts
- Street/sidewalk burning
- Banned outright, no permit available
- Lot burning
- Requires Fire Department permit
- Permit fee
- Set in Fee Schedule § 3.12
- Unpaid costs
- Become special charge on property
- Exemption
- Cooking vessels and approved fireplaces
Summary
Middleton bans open burning of leaves, grass, wood, rubbish or other combustible material anywhere on a street, alley, sidewalk or driveway at all times, and bans the same burning on any lot without a Fire Department permit, under Municipal Code Section 5.08. Violators face a penalty under Section 30.04, and the Fire Department may extinguish a noncompliant fire outright.
(1)No person shall burn or cause to be burned any leaves, grass, wood, rubbish or other combustible material on any street, alley, sidewalk or driveway in any district within the City at any time.(2)No person shall burn or cause to be burned any leaves, grass, wood rubbish or other combustible material outdoors on any lot or parcel of land in any district within the City at any time without a burning permit. ... (a)A burning permit may be issued by the Fire Department for prescribed vegetation management purposes subject to reasonable conditions to mitigate fire hazards. The fee for a burning permit shall be as set forth in the Fee Schedule under Section 3.12.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 3 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
08 of the City of Middleton Municipal Code, titled Elimination of Fire Hazards, sets two absolute rules. First, no person may burn or cause to be burned leaves, grass, wood, rubbish or other combustible material on any street, alley, sidewalk or driveway anywhere in the City, at any time, with no permit exception available. Second, burning the same materials outdoors on a lot or parcel is likewise prohibited unless the owner first obtains a burning permit from the Fire Department. 12; any supervision or inspection costs get billed to the property owner and, if unpaid within thirty days, become a special charge against the property under Wis.
0627. Permits attach to a specific parcel or occupancy and cannot be transferred between people, parcels or occupancies, although a single permit can cover multiple parcels under common ownership as part of one vegetation management project. The permit exemption does not extend to open burning generally: it only shields burning LP or natural gas, charcoal, or dry wood in cooking vessels, or a compliant outdoor fireplace under Subsection (2)(b). Anyone who accumulates junk, scrap material, waste paper, wood products or other waste that creates a fire hazard on property under their control is separately liable under Subsection (3).
Violations & Fines
Burning without a required permit, burning on a street, alley, sidewalk or driveway (which is prohibited outright with no permit available), or letting junk or waste accumulate into a fire hazard under Section 5.08 subjects the violator to a penalty under Section 30.04 of the Municipal Code. The Fire Department may extinguish any fire ignited or maintained in violation of the Section, and the City can pursue additional remedies regardless of whether it also seeks a forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or brush in my yard in Middleton?
What does a Middleton burning permit cost?
Does the burning permit requirement apply to my charcoal grill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Middleton
How Middleton compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Middleton to another location·View the Wisconsin 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 Dane County handle outdoor burning.