Milton, WI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Section 50-33 of the Milton Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 205 in 2004 within Chapter 50 Offenses, opens with a blanket prohibition: open burning, outdoor burning and refuse burning are prohibited in the City of Milton unless specifically permitted by the section. The prohibition covers open fires, outdoor wood furnaces and refuse burning but exempts charcoal, wood, propane or natural gas grilling and cooking appliances, indoor stoves, furnaces or fireplaces burning non-refuse fuel, and propane, acetylene, natural gas, gasoline or kerosene used in heating, construction or maintenance equipment.

Where burning of leaves, weeds, brush, stumps or clean wood is allowed at all, Section 50-33(g) attaches conditions: it must be conducted in a safe, nuisance-free manner accounting for wind and weather so it does not create a health or visibility hazard on roadways, railroads or airfields, and it must conform to state and local fire protection rules. Critically, subsection (g)(2) suspends even permitted open burning during any burning ban issued by either the fire chief or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with the narrow exception of barbecue, gas and charcoal grills.

Outdoor wood furnaces are prohibited outright under subsection (i). Named prohibited materials under subsection (f) include rubbish, garbage, treated or painted wood, plastics, rubber, asphalt and recyclable paper and cardboard, unless DNR has given specific written approval. The fire chief and police department jointly enforce the section.