Restrictions for Burning within the City

As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, you may find yourself working on outside projects and other types of outdoor activities, such as lighting things on fire (i.e. grilling food and enjoying campfires). As such, you may find yourself wondering what kind of fires are allowed in the City.

No open burning is allowed.

This means no bonfires, burn barrels, or other fires burning that are not properly contained. If you need to dispose of yard waste such as leaves or weeds, please haul it to the yard waste area on Johnson Avenue. If you do not have a yard pass to access the site, contact Cedarburg Public Works at 262-375-7609. A yard pass will cost you $30 and is a one-time fee (unless you lose your pass). The yard is open six days a week year-round.

What about cooking?

No grills or other devices used for outdoor fires for cooking can be used above the first story of any building on a balcony, raised porch or platform. Recreational fires are fine. If you’d like to have a recreational fire, you may burn natural, dry, untreated wood or manufactured fire log material. Just make sure that it is fully contained in an approved fire pit* or outdoor appliance.** Also, don’t use flammable or combustible liquid to start recreational fires. The use of small sticks or other kindling is permitted as a fire starter.

Recreational fires must be supervised.

You will need what is deemed a competent person of at least 18 years of age to be present and to supervise until the fire is completely out. Don’t burn your trash.*** It smells bad, pollutes the environment, and can create sparks or flying embers that might endanger others and nearby structures. What you consider to be a good time may not be considered a good time for your neighbors. Please be aware of wind direction prior to lighting your fire in order to minimize the drifting of smoke. If smoke and odors from your fire are a nuisance to your neighbors, they may contact the CPD non-emergency number to complain. This complaint may lead to you having to extinguish your fire and/or face a monetary fine.

Out of respect for your surrounding neighbors, please keep your fires burning
between the hours of 11:00AM and 11:00PM only.

Don’t let you or your guests and neighbors become victims of your failure to be prepared. Have a garden hose, shovel, water buckets or an ABC rated fire extinguisher with a minimum 10-lb capacity nearby. Don’t place your fire pit near combustible material, like a garage, shed, gazebo, or house Keep it at least 25-feet back from these types of structures. If you have a wooden deck or fence, keep your flaming pit a minimum of 10-feet away. Ten feet back from any type of structure or combustible material is adequate for any outdoor fire appliance. If you decide to start a recreational fire, you are responsible for making sure that fire is controlled. If your fire gets out of control, emergency response personnel will need to respond and that costs not only money, but maybe even a life. If emergency response needs to be called in to get your fire under control, you will be responsible forany expenses incurred in that undertaking.

For more information, please visit Cedarburg Fire Department website.
You can also access the City Ordinance Section 5-2-75, Open Burning via the City of Cedarburg website.
Any complaints related to burning or recreational fires can be made to the Cedarburg Police Department
non-emergency number at 262-375-7620