Minnetonka, MN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Open burning in Minnetonka is handled through the city fire code in Section 910, which adopts the 2020 state fire code (Minnesota Rules chapter 7511) and the 2018 International Fire Code subject to the Minnetonka City Council's amendments. Section 910.020 rewrites Section 307, titled Open Burning and Recreational Fires. Item 307.1 says a person must not kindle or maintain, or authorize to be kindled or maintained, a recreational fire unless it is conducted and approved in accordance with that section.

Under 307.2 the person responsible for the fire must obtain an annual permit from the fire department prior to kindling it. The permit holder is responsible for conducting, controlling and extinguishing the fire in compliance with the city fire code, and the permit does not relieve the applicant from liability due to damage resulting from fire or smoke. The permit is annual, so one permit covers the year rather than each fire.

Section 307.3 gives the fire chief or designee authority to order extinguishment of any fire in three situations: the fire creates or adds to a hazardous situation; the chief or designee determines that the smoke is unreasonably offensive or injurious to others; or a required permit has not been obtained. Section 910.005 defines a recreational fire as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. Distance, fuel and attendance conditions are in 307.4 and 307.5. A fire marshal order can be appealed or a variance requested by written notice filed with the city clerk within 30 days after the order is issued, under § 910.030.