• Permits to legally burn within the city limits of South Bend are currently not being issued.
• Fire pits may be used in the city. Only commercially sold fire pits are allowed. (i.e., no 55 gal drums or home made pits.)
• Burning of yard waste, trash, or rubbish is not allowed within the city limits of South Bend.

Fire pits are allowed in the city limits. If you feel somebody is burning illegally, please call 911.

You may have a pit fire as long as:

• Clean fire wood is burned
• Fire is not offensive to the neighbors and the neighborhood*
• Someone over 18 years old is watching it
• Fire extinguishing means are available at the site
• A screen lid is preferred if it comes with the pit

*If there are complaints about the fire, and the Fire Department determines the fire is offensive, you will be asked to extinguish the fire.

Note: these are outdoor pits only- not 55 gallon drum fires.

The South Bend Fire Department may ask you to extinguish the fire if it is deemed offensive to neighbors. If you feel somebody is burning illegally, please call 911.

Fire Pit Hours:

• You cannot burn past sunset
• Fire needs to be out completely by sunset

For information on burn permits at addresses with 5 digit addresses, contact your local Fire Department