City of Fort Atkinson
Fire Department
Chief, Michael S. Reel
124 W. Milwaukee Ave.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
1-920-563-7795
Dedicated to the Protection of Life and Property
Overview of burning regulations within the City of Fort Atkinson
City of Fort Atkinson Ordinance
Sec. 34-12. Burning regulations.
(a) No person shall burn any material when the burning is performed outside of a building,
except:
1. one and two family dwelling cooking and recreational fires.
2. or by permit
(b) All burning shall be controlled in such a manner that unreasonable amounts of smoke and
debris are not produced.
National Fire Protection Association 1, 2015 – Fire Code (adopted by ordinance)
Recreational Fire
3.3.217 Recreational Fire. The noncommercial burning of materials other than rubbish for
pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, or similar purposes in which the fuel burned is not
contained in an incinerator, a barbecue grill, or a barbecue pit, and the total fuel area is not
exceeding 3 ft (0.9 m) in diameter and 2 ft (0.6 m) in height.
10.10.1.1 Permits shall not be required for cooking and recreational fires.
10.10.4.3 Recreational fires shall not be located within 25 ft(7.6 m) of a structure or combustible
material unless contained in an approved manner.
10.10.5.1 Open, recreational, and cooking fires shall be constantly attended by a competent
person until such fire is extinguished.
10.10.5.2 This person shall have a garden hose connected to the water supply or other fireextinguishing equipment readily available for us.
Permitted Fires
10.10.4.1 Permitted open fires shall be located not less than 50 ft (15 m) from any structure.
(see 10.10.5.1 and 10.10.5.2 as fires that require a permit must also comply with these sections)
City of Fort Atkinson
Fire Department
Chief, Michael S. Reel
124 W. Milwaukee Ave.
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
1-920-563-7795
Dedicated to the Protection of Life and Property
The following items may NOT be burned within the City limits of Fort Atkinson. This is
not however, to be construed as an all-inclusive list.
 Leaves, garden debris, grass clippings, shrubs, etc.
 Wood that is painted, stained, treated, or laminated
 Recyclable materials, including any type of metals
 Shingles
 Rubber, vinyl, or any oily products
 Rubbish / trash / garbage
 Plastics of any kind including foam plastics
 Electronics
 Furniture
Enforcement
City Ordinance Sec. 34-02
(a) Duty to correct. Upon notification of a violation, the responsible party shall have the duty to
correct the violation(s) within the time specified by the AHJ.
(b) Failure to comply. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, fails to
carry out an order made pursuant to this chapter, or violates any condition attached to a
permit, approval, or certificate shall be subject to the penalties established by the AHJ.
NPFA 1 code sections
1.7.3.1 The AHJ is authorized to render interpretations of this Code and to make and enforce
rules and supplemental regulations in order to carry out the application and intent of
its provisions.
10.10.2 The AHJ shall have the authority to prohibit any or all open flames, candles, and open,
recreational, and cooking fires or other sources of ignition, or establish special regulations on the
use of any form of fire or smoking material where circumstances make such conditions
hazardous.
Intent of Ordinance/Code
The primary intent of the City Ordinance is to allow firewood to be used for cooking and
recreational fires (campfires) on the property of one and two family homes only. All fire located
on one and two family properties must comply with the definition of a recreational fire or a
permit is required to be obtained from The Fort Atkinson Fire Dept.
The ordinance does not allow open or recreational fires on any other types of properties without
first obtaining a permit from FAFD.
Please contact the Fort Atkinson Fire Departments Fire Prevention/Inspection Div. if there are
any questions.