Lawn care
Can I burn leaves in Madison, and what are the rules for a backyard fire pit?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
No burning of leaves, brush or yard waste is allowed in the City of Madison; the Madison Fire Department doesn't permit it, so use the City's leaf and brush collection or a drop-off site instead. Campfires are allowed only in approved campgrounds, and Madison has none. Backyard fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are allowed without a permit if you follow the Fire Department's conditions: get the property owner's permission, keep it at least 15 feet from buildings and lot lines, set it on a stable, level surface (not a combustible deck, porch or patio), use a pit with an enclosure, screen or spark arrestor, burn only clean, dry wood (propane units burn only propane), keep a hose or extinguisher at hand, have an adult watch it until it's fully out, and skip it unless the DNR's air quality reading is good or moderate. Other communities have their own rules, so check with yours if you live outside the city. Source: City of Madison Fire Department, Outdoor and Open Burning (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026