Fire Regulations in Rhode Island (2026)
17 rules on the books across Rhode Island, 4 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.
Fireworks
Which types of consumer fireworks are legal, when they can be used, and the fines for setting off illegal fireworks.
Rhode Island: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsRhode Island permits only ground-based and handheld sparkling devices statewide; aerial and explosive consumer…
Read full rule →Pawtucket
Significant RestrictionsPawtucket's own fire code bans manufacturing fireworks anywhere in the city. It expressly leaves the sale and discharge…
Read full rule →Providence
Significant RestrictionsProvidence bans selling, using, or setting off fireworks anywhere in the city unless you first get a vendor or user…
Read full rule →Cranston
Some RestrictionsCranston limits legal consumer fireworks to set hours and dates around July 4th, with year-round discharge allowed noon…
Read full rule →Outdoor Burning
Rules for open flames outdoors including bonfires, yard waste burning, and cooking fires. Some cities ban all outdoor burning year-round.
Rhode Island: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsRhode Island generally prohibits open burning under the Air Pollution Control Act (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-23) and…
Read full rule →Cranston
Heavy RestrictionsCranston bans open fires citywide except barbecue, fireplace or grill cooking kept ten feet from property lines in a…
Read full rule →Pawtucket
Heavy RestrictionsPawtucket bans kindling or maintaining any fire on private or public land, with one narrow exception: fires kindled and…
Read full rule →Warwick
Heavy RestrictionsWarwick bans open fires citywide: City Code § 20-4 makes it unlawful for anyone to set or maintain an open fire…
Read full rule →Providence
Significant RestrictionsProvidence Code § 9-10 makes it unlawful to burn, or cause to be burned, any refuse, rubbish, or waste material…
Read full rule →Wildfire Zones
Special building and landscaping requirements for properties located in designated wildfire hazard areas or fire severity zones.
Rhode Island: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsRhode Island bans burning flammable material on or adjacent to forest land without a written permit from the Department…
Read full rule →Providence
Some RestrictionsProvidence is not in a designated wildland-urban interface zone, but Providence Fire Department and RI DEM enforce…
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.
Cranston
Some RestrictionsCranston's building code requires smoke detectors on every level and outside sleeping areas in new or substantially…
Read full rule →Pawtucket
Some RestrictionsPawtucket requires smoke detectors in every rented or leased dwelling unit under City Code § 247-80: one within 15 feet…
Read full rule →Warwick
Some RestrictionsWarwick requires at least one smoke detector on every habitable level of single-family and multifamily dwellings built…
Read full rule →Propane Storage
Limits on size and location of residential propane tanks, including setback distances from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources.
Cranston
Significant RestrictionsCranston's fire prevention code restricts bulk liquefied petroleum (LP) gas storage citywide, lifting the restriction…
Read full rule →Providence
Some RestrictionsProvidence Fire Department enforces RI State Fire Code limits on residential propane cylinder storage, restricting…
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