Waukesha County, WI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Waukesha 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
- May burn
- Dry leaves, clean untreated wood
- Prohibited
- Garbage, plastic, rubber, treated wood
- DNR permit
- Required in protection areas
- Wind limit (Town)
- No burning above 15 mph
- Time (Town)
- Daylight only, out at night
Summary
Wisconsin DNR rules and your municipality control open burning. You may burn only small amounts of dry leaves, clean untreated wood and unrecyclable paper; garbage, plastic, rubber and treated wood are prohibited. A DNR or local burning permit is often required.
It shall be unlawful for any person to burn in an outdoor incinerator any garbage, trash, plastic, rubber products, asphalt type materials or any other such related materials which create by such burning a smoke or odor nuisance.
Full Breakdown
The DNR allows individual households to burn small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, unrecyclable paper, natural fibers and clean untreated wood. It bans burning garbage, plastics, rubber, treated or painted wood, shingles, tires and construction debris. In DNR forest-fire protection areas a free burning permit is required when the ground is not snow-covered; permits do not apply inside incorporated cities and villages, which set their own rules. The Town of Waukesha requires a permit (or an approved incinerator), limits piles to 10 feet, bans burning above 15 mph wind or in dry conditions, and allows burning only in daylight, fully extinguished at night.
Violations & Fines
Illegal open burning is subject to forfeiture; a person who lets a fire escape is also liable for all suppression costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn my household garbage?
Do I need a burning permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
How Waukesha County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Waukesha County 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.