Grills & Fire Places

General Burning Guidelines

Allowed

Permits are not required to use a portable outdoor fireplace/chimenea or a recreational fire as long as the total fuel area is less than three feet in width and flame is less than two feet in height. The following conditions apply to portable outdoor fireplaces and recreational fires:

Portable Outdoor Fireplaces (IFC 307.4.3)

  • Follow all precautions listed by the manufacturer.
  • Shall not be used within 15 feet of combustible materials or structures. This does not apply as a requirement for POFs at one and two family dwellings, though it is still recommended. AFPD retains extinguishment authority should unsafe conditions exist/arise.
  • Device can only be used as intended. No burning of lumber, construction products, trash, or yard waste; essentially only fire wood can be burned.
  • Minimum of one fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating must be on-site (IFC 307.5).

Recreational Fires (IFC 307.4.2)

  • Recreational fires cannot be conducted within 25 feet of combustible materials or structures.
  • Burning shall not be of prohibited items (see item 3 in POF section).
  • Minimum of one fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating must be on-site (IFC 307.5).

Allowed with a Permit

Any agricultural burning, bonfires, or open burning that is not conducted in a POF or meet the definition of a recreational fire is allowed ONLY if a permit has been applied for and approved. Approved copy of permit must be kept on site during burning and AFPD dispatch notified of burn.

Please contact the CRR Division for further information, restrictions, or to apply for a permit at 303-424-3012 or at 7903 Allison Way.

Not Allowed

Any burning of trash, lumber materials, yard waste, or structures.
Any burning on red flag days or when local restrictions preventing burning are in place. For more information go HERE

Extinguishment Authority

Arvada Fire Protection District has the authority to extinguish, at the discretion of a Company Officer, any fires that create a hazardous condition, that are burning during a restricted time, or that have not been permitted when required or a copy of the permit or other conditions of a permit are not met.

Allowed Under Fire Restrictions

  • Charcoal grills at private residences or within a permanent grate in a developed park, campground, or picnic area.
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charcoal grill
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  • Chimeneas, fire pits, and tiki torches at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area.
chiminea
fire pit
tiki torch
  • Fire contained within liquid or gas fired stoves, lanterns, or heaters.
camp stove
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  • Operating a chainsaw with USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor attached and operating.
  • 8 Ounce or larger extinguisher must be with chainsaw operator.
  • Shovel kept with supplies and available for quick use.
  • Welding or operating of an open flame torch in an area cleared of all combustible material for ten feet around working area.

Not Allowed Under Fire Restrictions

Go HERE for current fire restrictions

  • Any fire not within a permanent grate (private or public).
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  • Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle, designated site, or while stopped in an area that is cleared of all combustible material for at least six feet.
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smoking 2
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  • Use of any fireworks.
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Grill Usage

IFC Section 308.1.4

City of Arvada IFC Amendments Section 42-51

  • Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible decks/balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction (a building, fence, etc).
    • Exceptions:
      • One and two family dwellings, though following these requirements is still recommended by AFPD. AFPD retains extinguishment authority should unsafe conditions exist/arise.
      • Where buildings, balconies, or decks are protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.
  • Propane / LP-Gas grills are allowed to be utilized on decks in the following areas and conditions:
    • City of Arvada
      • LP Gas containers can be no greater than 20 pounds of water weight in size (typical BBQ grill size propane tank)
    • City of Wheat Ridge
      • LP Gas containers can be no greater than 2.5 pounds of water weight in size (the small camping size containers approximately the size of a 2 liter soda bottle).
    • Unincorporated Jefferson County
      • LP Gas containers can be no greater than 2.5 pounds of water weight in size (the small camping size containers approximately the size of a 2 liter soda bottle.).
  • Examples of a 20 pound water weight tank with a BBQ grill on the left, and smaller 2.5 and 1 pound water weight tanks on the right
grill on deck
propane

Residence Classifications

  • Single Family Dwelling:
    • A stand-alone home.
    • Exempt from certain requirements as explained above.
  • Two Family Dwelling:
    • A duplex/paired home with two different dwelling units extending from foundation to roof and connected on one side, each having open space on not less than three sides.
    • Exempt from certain requirements as explained above.
  • Multi-Family:
    • Apartments and Condominium buildings/houses.
    • All guidelines/requirements apply as explained above.
  • Townhomes:
    • A single-family dwelling constructed in groups of 3 or more attached units in which each unit extends from the foundation to the roof and with open space on not less than two sides.
    • Exempt from same requirements as normal single-family dwellings as explained above.