Information on this page applies to locations within Boulder's city limits. You can verify an address is within city limits at our City Limits Map
There is no open burning allowed within the city limits of Boulder at any time. This permanent burn ban includes portable outdoor fire pits and burning piles or bonfires of any size, or any type, of flammable material.
The only exemption to this restriction occurs when burning a safety flare, such as a road flare, in order to indicate danger to the public.
It is illegal in the City of Boulder to use or possess fireworks of any kind.
As stated in our City's Municipal Code: "The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks are prohibited. No person shall possess, store to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks except after obtaining a permit for the supervised public display of fireworks as prescribed by the city fire code, Chapter 10-8, "Fire Code," B.R.C. 1981."
You can access the complete fireworks municipal code for the City of Boulder via this link: https://library.municode.com/co/boulder/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT5GEOF_CH6MIOF_5-6-6FI
Small Propane Bottles: If using a propane grill on a deck built with combustible material such as wood, propane bottles up to (but not exceeding) 2.5lb/16.4 oz. are allowed.
Large Propane Bottles: Propane bottles exceeding 2.5lb/16.4 oz. are allowed IF the balcony/deck for the grill is made of concrete, steel or other non-combustible material AND the propane grill can be placed more than 10 feet away from any other combustible siding, decking or other parts of the structure.
OR
The structure is a single-family home or a side-by-side townhome.
OR
The balcony/deck where the grill is located has a sprinkler system.
Similar to large propane bottle grills, charcoal grills or any other type of open flame cooking appliances are also not allowed unless:
1. Your balcony/deck is made of concrete, steel or non-combustible material AND the charcoal grill can be placed more than 10 feet away from combustible siding, decking or other parts of the structure;
OR
2. The structure is a single-family home or a side-by-side townhome.
OR
3. The balcony/deck where the grill is located has a sprinkler system.
Electric grills are allowed. If you are using an extension cord, please ensure that it is an adequate rating for the grill.
All ceremonial fires within the City of Boulder require a specific permit, issued through Boulder Fire-Rescue.
If you would like to request a permit for a ceremonial fire, please go to the Ceremonial Fire Permit Page
To report a code violation that presents safety concerns, please call the City of Boulder non-emergency dispatch number at 303-441-3333.
For emergencies, please call 9-1-1.
For more information on reporting non-emergency concerns, go to: https://bouldercolorado.gov/report-issue
For information regarding burn permits for property outside of the City, such as in Boulder County unincorporated, please visit this Boulder County website page:
For information on Boulder County-wide fire bans, please visit this Boulder County website page:
