Whether you live in the Fox Valley or you have a cabin in Minocqua, a backyard fire pit is a great addition to your living space. It is a fun place to sit and relax on a cool fall night or cook out with family and friends. We know that if you are considering a backyard fire pit for your home, cabin, cottage, or lake house, you may have questions. You may ask — can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Wisconsin? We hope this closer look at Wisconsin fire pit laws and regulations will help answer your questions.
Wisconsin Fire Pit Guidelines, Laws, and Regulations
The short answer — YES you can have a fire pit in your backyard in Wisconsin.
But the guidelines, laws, and regulations for your backyard fire pit will vary based on where you live and the local fire ordinances in place. With that in mind, there are general guidelines for recreational fires in Wisconsin that will help keep you and your property safe. These guidelines include safe distances for a fire pit from your home, what materials you should or should not burn, and who should be present around your fire pit. Here is a closer look at a few general guidelines for having a backyard fire pit in Wisconsin.
- Backyard fire pits should be a minimum of 15 feet away from any flammable structures — homes, sheds, garages, fences, and other flammable materials.
- Backyard fire pits should use clean, dry, and untreated wood. The burning of garbage, trash, yard waste, treated lumber, or other flammable materials is prohibited in many places in Wisconsin.
- An responsible individual should be present around an active fire at all times until the fire is put out and should have practical safety equipment on hand. Fires should not be left unattended.
In addition to these general guidelines — local fire ordinances in your city or town may provide additional regulations about recreational fires that limit when and where you can install a backyard fire pit. Backyard fire pits may also require burn permits provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) depending on where you live and there may be burn bans in effect for recreational fires that depend on the weather and season.
How To Find Information on Local Fire Laws and Regulations in Wisconsin
So, how do you learn about the local fire ordinances in your town? Where do you get a burn permit in Wisconsin? These are all relevant questions that many Wisconsin residents are asking and we are here to help at Fox River Fire Rings.
- Local fire ordinances should be able to be found on your city or village website under fire laws and regulations.
- Information about whether you need a burn permit in your area or any necessary burn permits can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website. This website will also provide information about any potential burn restrictions.
- Homeowners that hope to install a backyard fire pit can also contact the local fire department or municipal government directly for any information they cannot find.
READ MORE: 5 Best Places for Camping in Wisconsin
Do you want to add a fire pit to your backyard? You may have questions about local fire laws and regulations. You may be asking — can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Wisconsin? We hope this overview created by Fox River Fire Rings will answer your questions.
Contact Fox River Fire Rings today to learn more about our customized steel fire rings!