3 Common Backyard Fire Pit Laws and Regulations Homeowners Should Know (2024)

Our backyards are where we go to relax and unwind, host parties, and connect with our families. As the end of summer approaches, cooler weather begins to creep in, and we continue to look for ways to gather outside at a safe social distance, the idea of a backyard fire pit is appealing to many homeowners.

Adding a fire pit to your backyard is not only a great way to increase your yard’s chill factor but it can also increase your home’s value. Consumers responding in The National Association of REALTORS® 2018 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features gave the addition of a fire feature a perfect 10 Joy Score rating. This rating is based on the happiness homeowners reported with the addition of a specific outdoor project. The same report noted a fire feature provides an average of 67% return on investment for homeowners.

But, before you break out the Adirondack chairs and s’mores fixings, be sure to check with your city or county’s fire department and your homeowner’s associate for any restrictions you may be up against.

Common Backyard Fire Pit Laws and Regulations

Most cities and towns allow small recreational fires. A recreational fire is usually defined as a campfire, bonfire, or backyard fire in a fire pit. Many recreational fire regulations are in place to remain courteous to your neighbors, but others exist to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

While every town is different, here are three common fire pit laws and regulations you should know about before adding a fire pit to your yard.

1. Location Guidelines

Whether you’re looking to add a portable fire pit or a permanent structure, you’ll need to consider the placement carefully. Portable fire pits need to be placed on fire-resistant surfaces like a brick patio or over stone pavers. Flying embers can be a fire risk if you put your portable fire pit directly onto your grass or place it on a wooden deck.

Both portable and permanent fire pits should be placed at least 10 feet away from the property line. You will also need to place or build your pit in an area free from low hanging branches and other potentially flammable landscaping elements. In fact, many areas have laws requiring 25 feet between the fire pit and your house, shed, vehicle, deck, or other combustible materials.

Your town or homeowner’s association may also require a site inspection if you plan to build a permanent fire pit. In areas prone to wildfire, your homeowner’s insurance may require you to disclose your fire pit. You should check with local fire officials before you begin your project to avoid costly mistakes.

2. Burn Material Restrictions

The burning of certain materials can result in dangerous and foul-smelling gases. The article Are Backyard Fire Pits Legal? notes, “Smoke, chemicals, and poisonous gases are not only offensive; they are dangerous to those sitting near the fire, people in the vicinity, and the wildlife in the area.”

Common materials like paper, magazines, and particleboard may seem like harmless kindling but burning these materials can lead to excessive smoke and release toxins from adhesive or ink. Similarly, burning the incorrect foliage like poison ivy, oak or sumac, or even green leafy branches can lead to serious lung irritation and should be avoided.

Burning clean, dry, and split firewood is generally accepted in all counties. Woods like oak, hickory, ash, and cedar are great choices for a backyard fire pit.

3. Supervision Regulations

Most counties and homeowners associations require that a fire be supervised by an adult the entire time it is burning. “This means even if you are 25 feet away working on a project in your garage,” the Backyard Scape article notes, “you are still violating fire safety regulations.”

Shifting winds can put your neighbor’s property and your own property in danger. You may find that local ordinances prohibit a backyard fire during high wind conditions. The general unpredictability of the weather is an important reason for regulations requiring constant supervision.

Your duty to supervise your backyard fire doesn’t end when the flames die down. Leftover embers can retain enough heat overnight that a strong gust of wind can kick the fire back up again. When you’re finished enjoying your backyard fire, you can spread out the coals and stir them with dirt or sand to ensure they are completely extinguished. Burying your hot coals will retain the heat, so instead, stir them frequently and sprinkle on soil or sand until they are no longer hot. Alternatively, you can place the embers in a metal container and douse them with water.

Adding a fire pit to your yard is an outdoor feature you can use year-round, it’s an instant party starter, and it can up the value of your home. Just be mindful of local laws and regulations before you start your fire pit project and you’ll be licking your sticky s’more fingers in no time.


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3 Common Backyard Fire Pit Laws and Regulations Homeowners Should Know (2024)

FAQs

3 Common Backyard Fire Pit Laws and Regulations Homeowners Should Know? ›

Residential fire pits are legal as long as you follow your county's laws and regulations. Local authorities put these rules in place to ensure the safety of your home, family, neighbors, and community. If you don't comply with local fire pit safety rules, you can receive fines and penalties.

Is it okay to have a fire pit in my backyard? ›

Residential fire pits are legal as long as you follow your county's laws and regulations. Local authorities put these rules in place to ensure the safety of your home, family, neighbors, and community. If you don't comply with local fire pit safety rules, you can receive fines and penalties.

What are the safety precautions for a fire pit? ›

Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs and anything that can burn. Use chimneys, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits outdoors at least 10 feet away from your home or anything that can burn. Closely watch children when the fire pit is in use. Turn off or put out fires before you leave the backyard.

How far does a fire pit need to be from your house? ›

Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from all buildings or combustible materials. Combustible materials are things such as wood, paper, and plastics [MSFC Section 307.4. 2].

Can I use a fire pit at home? ›

Brazier and fire pit guidelines. Council allows the use of above ground braziers and fire pits, provided the smoke does not impact neighbours and the fire does not present a safety risk to people or property.

What is the etiquette for a fire pit? ›

Ideally, a fire pit should be at least 10 feet away from any structures — 20 feet is even better. This includes your house, shed, fence and neighboring yards. Check the area around and above your fire pit. You don't want any plants within 10 feet of the fire pit area.

What are 4 of the precautions for fire safety? ›

Stay on Top of Your Electrical Wiring System. Keep Your Heating Equipment in Check. Take Special Fire Precautions in the Kitchen. Learn to Use a Fire Extinguisher.

Where to put a fire pit in the backyard? ›

Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from buildings and trees. Install on a non-flammable surface and away from overhead structures. Check wind patterns to prevent smoke issues. Use services like 811 to locate underground utilities before digging. ]

Where not to put a fire pit? ›

Fire pits should not be placed too close to a house or other backyard structures; and they should also not be placed too close to trees, shrubs, or other plants.

What size should a fire pit be in the backyard? ›

Small fire pit dimensions should measure 3 feet wide, while a large pit can go up to 6 feet wide. Ideally a fire pit should be between 36 and 44 inches wide (including the width of the walls) in order to comfortably seat multiple people around it whilst still maintaining an intimate setting.

Should I put sand in my fire pit? ›

If you're wondering why you should put sand in the bottom of your fire pit, you'll be glad to know that the answer is straightforward to grasp. This is to protect the metal of the fire pit from the heat of the fire. You know the fire can get really hot and some parts might end up being more alluring than others.

Can you have a small fire pit in your backyard? ›

Most cities and towns allow small recreational fires. A recreational fire is usually defined as a campfire, bonfire, or backyard fire in a fire pit. Many recreational fire regulations are in place to remain courteous to your neighbors, but others exist to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Is it OK to leave fire pit burning overnight? ›

Before heading inside, you'll want to make sure that you successfully extinguish the flames in your pit. It's not safe to let a fire burn overnight because you could wake up to a dangerous house fire.

What are the disadvantages of a fire pit? ›

Disadvantages of an Outdoor Fire Pit

If the fire pit is wood burning, the smoke could potentially bother you and clothes may smell like a campfire. Fire pits do not provide the height to a landscape as a fireplace would.

Is it a good idea to have a fire pit? ›

Fire pits can extend the use of the garden later into the evening and offer a more ambient feel than patio heaters. They are also great for socialising – and you can cook marshmallows with the children.” Many people take small fire pits with them when they go camping, since they don't scald the ground.

Does a backyard fire pit add value to home? ›

It can return between 80-100% of your investment, depending on whether you use brick, stone, or concrete. We recommend placing a fire pit in a hazard-free location, away from any buildings and especially windy spots. Also, connecting your fire pit to natural gas is a way to add some extra value.

Where is the best place to put a fire pit in your backyard? ›

Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from buildings and trees. Install on a non-flammable surface and away from overhead structures. Check wind patterns to prevent smoke issues. Use services like 811 to locate underground utilities before digging. ]

Can I have a bonfire in Ohio? ›

This law prohibits outdoor open burning statewide in unincorporated areas during the months of March, April, May, October, and November between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. This ban includes burning of yard waste, trash, and debris, even in a proper burn barrel.

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