Fire Regulations in Palm Coast, FL

If you live in Palm Coast or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Palm Coast has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Palm Coast lets residents run outdoor fireplaces and cooking fires without a Fire Marshal permit under City Code § 25-52(1)(d), as long as the fire is conducted safely and does not create a nuisance. Cooking fires are capped at three feet in diameter and three feet of flame height, and must be constantly attended.

Key details: Permit needed: No, for compliant fireplaces/cooking fires. Size cap: 3 ft diameter, 3 ft flame height. Attendance: Must be constantly attended while cooking. Warming fires: Metal barrel only, below 45°F. Enforced by: Fire Marshal, § 25-76.

A fire pit or cooking fire that exceeds the three-foot diameter/height limit, is left unattended, or creates smoke or nuisance complaints loses its exemption and can be treated as unpermitted open burning. Fire Marshal inspectors enforce the fire safety code under Sec. 25-76 and may issue an order under Sec. 25-79, served on the occupant or owner (by mail if unavailable), to remedy the violation.

Palm Coast is more permissive than most cities when it comes to fire pits & backyard fires. That said, there are still limits.

Smoke Detectors

Palm Coast's Property Maintenance Code requires smoke alarms in every dwelling under City Code Section 15-136(b). Alarms must sit outside each sleeping area, inside every bedroom, and on every story of the unit, including basements. The rule applies to all Group R-2 through R-4 residential occupancies and unrated dwellings regardless of how many people live there.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 15-136(b). Required locations: Outside sleeping areas, in bedrooms, every story. Applies to: Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and unrated dwellings. Power source: Building wiring plus battery backup, § 15-136(d). Interconnection: One alarm triggers all alarms, § 15-136(e).

Failure to install or maintain required smoke alarms is a Property Maintenance Code violation subject to the City's general penalty, Section 1-15: a fine of up to $500, with incarceration of up to 60 days possible only where a specific provision authorizes it. Code enforcement can issue a notice of violation, and each day noncompliance continues after notice is treated as a separate offense.

Outdoor Burning

Palm Coast bans open burning of trash, garbage, lawn debris and commercial waste citywide under City Code § 25-52(1)(a). Ceremonial fires, land clearing, prescribed burns, emergency burning and campfires are allowed only with a Fire Marshal permit issued in advance under § 25-52(1)(b).

Key details: Prohibited: Trash, garbage, lawn debris, commercial waste. Permit-only burning: Ceremonial, land clearing, campfires, emergencies. Land-clearing permit condition: FL Division of Forestry notice + burn index check. Application fee: Set by City Council resolution, per burn day. Enforced by: Fire Marshal / Fire Rescue Department.

Burning prohibited materials, or burning without the required Fire Marshal permit, is a fire code violation. Under Sec. 25-76, Fire Marshal inspectors are charged with enforcing the fire safety code and investigate the cause and circumstances of fires occurring in the City. An inspector may issue an order under Sec. 25-79 to protect property and persons where a violation is found, served on the occupant or posted on the premises, with mailed notice to the owner if unavailable.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Palm Coast actively enforces its outdoor burning requirements.

The Bottom Line

Palm Coast's fire regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Palm Coast is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Palm Coast can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.