Fire Regulations in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
An outdoor fire pit is treated as a recreational open-burning device. Florida rule 62-256.700, F.A.C., allows attended fires in an 'outdoor fireplace, or other contained outdoor heating or cooking device' burning clean wood, and Broward County requires fire-authority approval. Fire pits and ground fires are not permitted on the City Beach or in City parks without authorization.
Fire pits: contained recreational fires, no beach pits
Some RestrictionsRule 62-256.700(10), F.A.C. (Florida DEP, recreational open burning)
Recreational open burning of vegetative debris and untreated wood in a campfire, ceremonial bonfire, outdoor fireplace, or other contained outdoor heating or cooking device is allowed, provided the fire remains attended and is fully extinguished before leaving.
Fireworks
Florida law preempts most local fireworks regulation. Since 2020, consumer fireworks may be used by residents only on New Year's Day, Independence Day, and New Year's Eve; on any other day only 'sparklers' and similar novelties are legal. Fort Lauderdale separately bans discharging any fireworks on the City Beach except during City-authorized special events.
Consumer fireworks lawful only on 3 holidays
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. 791.08 (2024)
This chapter does not prohibit the use of fireworks solely and exclusively during a designated holiday. As used in this section, the term 'designated holiday' means: New Year's Day, January 1; Independence Day, July 4; and New Year's Eve, December 31.
Brush Clearance
Fort Lauderdale regulates open burning through Chapter 13 of the Code of Ordinances and Broward County open burning regulations. Recreational fires in approved containers are generally allowed, but open burning of yard waste is restricted by Broward County Air Quality rules.
Fort Lauderdale Brush Clearance & Open Burning
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Fort Lauderdale's open burning is governed primarily by Broward County and Florida rules. Residential burning of yard trash and household paper is prohibited in Broward County, and most other open burning requires fire-authority approval and large setbacks. State rule 62-256.700, F.A.C., further limits what may be burned.
Open burning heavily restricted in Broward County
Heavy RestrictionsRule 62-256.700, F.A.C. (Florida DEP, prohibited open burning)
Open burning of biological waste, hazardous waste, asbestos-containing materials, mercury-containing devices, pharmaceuticals, tires, rubber material, residual oil, used oil, asphalt, roofing material, tar, treated wood, plastics, garbage, or trash is strictly prohibited.
Wildfire Zones
Fort Lauderdale is not designated as a wildfire hazard area. As a densely developed coastal city, wildfire risk is minimal. The Florida Building Code HVHZ standards that apply throughout Broward County focus on hurricane rather than wildfire resilience.
Fort Lauderdale Wildfire Zone Regulations
Few RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Fort Lauderdale enforces the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Ed. (2023), Section R314 for smoke alarms - one in each sleeping room, one outside each sleeping area, one on each floor, all interconnected with battery backup. Vacation rentals must hard-wire and interconnect alarms under Code Section 15-278.
Fort Lauderdale Smoke Detector Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
A recreational backyard fire is allowed in the Fort Lauderdale area only as a contained campfire, bonfire, or cooking fire approved by the fire authority, and it must not create a nuisance or excessive smoke. Florida rule 62-256.700, F.A.C., separately permits attended recreational fires of clean vegetative debris and untreated wood.
Recreational fires allowed with fire-authority approval
Some RestrictionsBroward County Code of Ordinances ch. 27, art. IX (recreational open burning)
A camp fire, bonfire, or other fire used solely for recreational purposes, for ceremonial occasions, or for outdoor noncommercial preparation of food as long as excessive smoke and a nuisance is not created.
Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Lauderdale city rules.
Fire Regulations in Broward County →