Planning A Bonfire In Rochester, Minnesota? Read This First

There’s nothing more Minnesotan than gathering around a backyard fire pit on a crisp fall night—but Rochester has a few important rules you’ll want to know before you strike that match. While bonfires are legal in the Med City, there’s a surprising step you should take first.

Rochester’s Bonfire Rules Might Surprise You

Having a bonfire is one of those things that makes spending time outdoors in Minnesota so great. But just what are the laws concerning fires here in Rochester?

Some communities I lived in back when I was working in Wisconsin don't actually allow you to have any recreational fires in your yard. That applies whether you have a permanent fire pit in your backyard or in one of those portable fire pits that you can use anywhere, like on your driveway or patio. Those ordinances seem a wee bit too restrictive, if you ask me.

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But that got me wondering about the ordinances concerning fires here in Rah-Rah-Rochester. Are they legal? (I probably should have checked into this before we bought a new fire table for our backyard in northwest Rochester.)

Yes, Rochester Allows Fire Pits—But There Are A Few Rules

As it turns out, though, yes, they ARE legal here in Rochester. But, according to the city of Rochester Fire Department's informational document, there's one thing it's recommended that you do before you light your fire.

"To reduce unnecessary fire calls, it is recommended that you call Fire Dispatch at (507) 328-2830 before starting a recreational fire, giving your name, address, and telephone number," the document notes.

What’s Legal—And What Isn’t—For Backyard Fires in Rochester

There are also some restrictions in place regarding the size of your fire, as well: Your fire 'must not be greater than 3 feet in diameter and should not be conducted within 25 feet of occupiable structures or 15 feet if contained within an approved
barbecue pit or grill,' the city noted.

But wait, there's more: Your approved barbecue fire pit or ring 'should not be larger than 36 inches in diameter or 9 square feet. It must be made of 'noncombustible materials and provide a 12-inch minimum enclosure depth above materials to be burned,' the city says.

While recreational fires in your fire pit or fire table are, in fact, legal, other types of open fires (like burning leaves, tree limbs and branches, and other yard waste) are NOT allowed. The city also listed some general safety tips to follow if you're going to have a fire:

+ A person knowledgeable in fire safety and extinguishment should be in attendance at all times, until the fire is completely extinguished.
+ When extinguished, the fire must not be allowed to smolder.
+ When using charcoal, properly dispose of the ashes in a metal disposal container outside of the building.
+ Fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hose or fire extinguisher, having a 4A rating, must be available to extinguish and control the fire.

Like I said, having a bonfire in the fall is just one of those things true Minnesotans do. Kind of like knowing how to say all of Minnesota's somewhat unique names. How many of the following do YOU know how to say? Keep scrolling to find out!

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