Fire Regulations in Kentucky (2026)
28 rules on the books across Kentucky, 12 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Rules for fire pits, chimineas, and recreational backyard fires, setback distances from structures, size and fuel limits, attendance requirements, and burn-ban days.
Lexington
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette bans open burning by default, but the fire chief may issue an open burn permit for recreational or…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsBowling Green lets residents burn permitted materials without a permit only inside a fire pit three feet or less in…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, a recreational fire pit is allowed without a separate permit only at one- and two-family…
Read full rule →Fireworks
Which types of consumer fireworks are legal, when they can be used, and the fines for setting off illegal fireworks.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsKentucky law universally defines and regulates consumer fireworks under KRS 227.700-227.750, sets a minimum purchase…
Read full rule →Louisville
Significant RestrictionsLouisville Metro bans retail sale and use of aerial fireworks, firecrackers, and roman candles: only sparklers…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, consumer fireworks may only be set off between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., with extended hours…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky, consumer fireworks can legally be ignited only between noon and 10:00 p.m. from…
Read full rule →Jessamine County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Jessamine County, Kentucky, § 92.36(G)(2) bars private individuals from discharging fireworks between…
Read full rule →Oldham County
Some RestrictionsConsumer fireworks are banned in unincorporated Oldham County except on the Fiscal Court's designated Independence Day…
Read full rule →Brush Clearance
Requirements to clear dry vegetation around your property for wildfire prevention, including deadlines and the distance you need to maintain.
Outdoor Burning
Rules for open flames outdoors including bonfires, yard waste burning, and cooking fires. Some cities ban all outdoor burning year-round.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsKentucky law universally prohibits outdoor burning between 6 AM and 6 PM within 150 feet of woodland during forest fire…
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Heavy RestrictionsCounty Code § 111.56(A) flatly bans open burning of solid waste, hazardous waste, or bulky waste anywhere in…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Significant RestrictionsCampbell County prohibits open burning by default, letting the local fire chief authorize it only in writing, with free…
Read full rule →Kenton County
Significant RestrictionsKenton County bans all open fires countywide the moment the County Judge/Executive proclaims an extraordinary fire…
Read full rule →Lexington
Significant RestrictionsLexington-Fayette's Code of Ordinances § 9-20 makes open burning illegal by default across the urban county, defining…
Read full rule →Oldham County
Significant RestrictionsOpen burning is prohibited across unincorporated Oldham County, Kentucky except for eleven listed purposes under Fiscal…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, it's unlawful to kindle a bonfire, rubbish fire, or any open fire on public ground or private…
Read full rule →Boone County
Some RestrictionsBoone County lets residents burn vegetation and construction debris in the unincorporated county only after posting…
Read full rule →Bowling Green
Some RestrictionsOpen burning within Bowling Green city limits requires a permit issued by the Fire Prevention Division, unless the fire…
Read full rule →Daviess County
Some RestrictionsDaviess County requires a permit from the Chief of the County Fire Department before anyone kindles an open fire on…
Read full rule →Franklin County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Franklin County, Kentucky, the County Judge/Executive can proclaim an extraordinary fire hazard when…
Read full rule →Jessamine County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Jessamine County, Kentucky, anyone who wants to set an open burn must post two signs and notify the…
Read full rule →Smoke Detectors
Requirements for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in homes, including how many you need and where they must be installed.
Boone County
Some RestrictionsBoone County Code § 114.07 requires every short-term rental in the unincorporated county to have working smoke…
Read full rule →Franklin County
Some RestrictionsThe only smoke detector mandate in the Franklin County Code applies to short-term rentals in unincorporated Franklin…
Read full rule →Lexington
Some RestrictionsEvery one- and two-family dwelling and Group R rental in Lexington must have smoke alarms outside each sleeping area…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro requires every dwelling to have a smoke alarm on hardwired AC power or a sealed non-removable 10-year…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, smoke alarm requirements come from the state fire and building codes the city has adopted…
Read full rule →Propane Storage
Limits on size and location of residential propane tanks, including setback distances from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources.