Milwaukee County, WI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Milwaukee County, 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
- Primary authority
- WI DNR NR 429 + municipal code
- County burn permits
- None - DNR/municipal only
- Allowed materials
- Small dry rubbish, leaves, clippings
- Always prohibited
- Garbage, plastic, oily, treated wood
- Urban reality
- Most cities ban residential burning
Summary
Open burning in Wisconsin is regulated by the DNR under NR 429 and by each municipality, not by Milwaukee County. NR 429.04 allows only small amounts of dry rubbish, leaves, and clippings unless a local ordinance bans it. Most urban municipalities prohibit residential burning.
Burning of small amounts of dry leaves and dry plant clippings except where prohibited by local ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Outdoor open burning in Wisconsin is controlled by DNR air-quality rules in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 429 plus each municipal ordinance. Milwaukee County does not issue residential burn permits; that rests with the DNR and the municipal fire department or clerk. NR 429.04(1) permits burning small amounts of dry combustible rubbish, excluding wet rubbish, garbage, oily substances, plastic, and rubber, and small amounts of dry leaves and clippings except where prohibited by local ordinance. Allowed burning must be safe and in conformance with local and state fire regulations. Because the county is densely urban, most municipalities, including Milwaukee, ban residential yard-waste burning. Burning trash, plastics, and treated wood is prohibited statewide.
Violations & Fines
DNR open-burning violations under NR 429 can trigger state air-quality penalties, and municipal fire codes impose their own fines. Milwaukee County only enforces fire rules on its parks and parkways (Ordinance 47.05, forfeiture up to $100).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in Milwaukee County?
Does Milwaukee County issue burn permits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee County
How Milwaukee County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Milwaukee County to another location·View the Wisconsin fire regulations overview
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