Waukesha, WI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

04 opens with a blanket prohibition: outdoor burning is prohibited within the City except as authorized under subsections (3), (4) and (5) of that section, and except for a short list of built-in exceptions covering cooking in a broiler, rotisserie or similar appliance, decorative lighting, frost removal work by utilities, cemeteries or building contractors, and burning tobacco products or engine fuels. The Fire Department may also burn substances during its own training courses, whether run alone or with outside industries or businesses training personnel. Beyond the flat exceptions, the section authorizes three narrow paths back into legal burning: residential open fires meeting the detailed fire-pit standards in subsection (3) (dimensions, hours, setback and attendance rules, covered separately), Fire Chief-authorized burning in commercial areas for property maintenance such as brush removal or for recreational bonfires under subsection (4), and Fire Chief-authorized burning in residential areas solely to restore natural lawns under subsection (5).

Both discretionary authorizations require a written request identifying the property, timing and safety precautions, and the Chief may deny a request that poses a threat to public safety given the burn location, materials, weather or insufficient precautions. A Fire Inspector, Police Officer or other City agent may order any outdoor burning activity to cease if it endangers health, safety or property in the area, and noncompliance lets the Fire Department act under Wis. 14.