Fire Regulations in Fort Myers, FL (2026)
8 verified fire regulations for Fort Myers, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Fort Myers enforces fire pit rules through the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), 8th Edition (2023), which adopts NFPA 1, 2021 with Florida-specific amendments and became effective December 31, 2023. The City of Fort Myers Code of Ordinances Chapter 40 (Fire Prevention and Protection) is administered by the Fort Myers Fire Department Community Risk Reduction / Fire Prevention Bureau at 2033 Jackson Street. Under NFPA 1 recreational-fire provisions, fire pits must be three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height, kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, burn only seasoned natural firewood, and be attended until fully extinguished. Cooking fires in a grill or barbecue are exempt. During a Lee County emergency burn ban (KBDI ≥ 600 under County Ordinance 18-09) recreational fires are prohibited countywide, including inside Fort Myers city limits.
Fort Myers Fire Pit Rules: Recreational Fires Under the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th Edition)
Some RestrictionsFireworks
Florida law (FS § 791.08, enacted by Ch. 2020-11) preempts local bans on consumer fireworks on three designated holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4), and New Year's Eve (December 31). On those three days the City of Fort Myers cannot prohibit consumer fireworks. Outside those holidays, only 'sparklers' on the State Fire Marshal's approved list (FS § 791.01(4)) may be used; aerial and explosive fireworks (rockets, mortars, Roman candles, firecrackers) require a display permit under FS § 791.02. The Fort Myers Fire Department enforces fireworks rules under Chapter 40 of the City Code and the adopted Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Fort Myers Fireworks: Three-Holiday State Exemption Under FS § 791.08
Some RestrictionsBrush Clearance
The City of Fort Myers requires lawns, grass, weeds, and underbrush on all property in the city - including the abutting public right-of-way - to be kept cut to no more than 12 inches in height. The standard is administered by Fort Myers Code Compliance (Community Development Department). Vacant and overgrown lots are among the most commonly cited code violations in Fort Myers. If the owner does not abate, the city will cut the vegetation and lien the cost against the property. Lee County contains designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas mapped by the Florida Forest Service, particularly in unincorporated pine flatwoods and palmetto-dominated parcels east and north of the city, and the 2006 Caloosahatchee Fire Complex destroyed 15 homes and burned 2,000 acres in Lee County.
Fort Myers Brush, Weed, and Lot Clearance: 12-Inch Vegetation Limit
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Outdoor burning in Fort Myers is governed by Chapter 40 of the City Code, the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th Edition, NFPA 1, 2021), and Florida Administrative Code 5I-2 (Florida Forest Service - Open Burning). Recreational fires (3 ft x 2 ft of natural firewood) are allowed without a permit when no burn ban is in effect. Yard-waste and household-trash burning is prohibited under FAC 5I-2.004. Non-residential pile burning requires authorization from the Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Forestry Center. Lee County Ordinance 18-09 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to declare an emergency burn ban prohibiting all outdoor ignition sources (other than cooking grills) when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaches 600 or higher; the ban applies inside Fort Myers city limits.
Fort Myers Outdoor Burning: FFPC Plus Lee County Emergency Burn Ban Authority
Some RestrictionsWildfire Zones
The City of Fort Myers sits on the Caloosahatchee River in southwestern Florida. Its developed core is not within a state-designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) high-risk zone, but Lee County contains substantial WUI parcels in unincorporated pine flatwoods and palmetto-dominated areas east, north, and south of the city. The Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Forestry Center monitors fire weather and the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Lee County and is the AHJ for non-recreational pile burns. The 2006 Caloosahatchee Fire Complex (fueled by 2004 Hurricane Charley debris) burned over 2,000 acres in Lee County and destroyed 15 homes. Lee County selected SWCA Environmental Consultants in 2024 to develop the county's first Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Fort Myers Wildfire Zones: Caloosahatchee River City Bordering Lee County WUI
Some RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Smoke alarms in Fort Myers are required under the Florida Building Code as administered by the Fort Myers Building Department and the Fort Myers Fire Department, and under Florida Statute 553.883. New construction and substantial alterations require hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the dwelling including basements. Effective January 1, 2015, any newly installed or replacement battery-powered smoke alarm in a one- or two-family dwelling or townhome must be powered by a non-removable, non-replaceable battery rated to power the alarm for at least 10 years. The Fort Myers Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau enforces under Chapter 40 of the City Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
Fort Myers Smoke Alarm Requirements: Florida Building Code and FS § 553.883
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Backyard fires in Fort Myers are limited to recreational fires (3 feet diameter, 2 feet height of natural firewood, 25 feet from structures, attended) and portable outdoor fireplaces operated per manufacturer instructions with a 15-foot clearance, under the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th Edition, NFPA 1, 2021) adopted via Fort Myers Code Chapter 40. Burning yard waste, household trash, treated wood, plastics, or construction debris is prohibited under Florida Administrative Code 5I-2.004. Cooking grills and barbecues are exempt. Bonfires (larger than the recreational-fire size) require a permit and pre-ignition site inspection by the Fort Myers Fire Department fire marshal or designee. When Lee County declares an emergency burn ban under Ordinance 18-09 (KBDI ≥ 600), all backyard fires (other than cooking grills) are prohibited.
Fort Myers Backyard Fires: Recreational Fires and Portable Outdoor Fireplaces
Some RestrictionsPropane Storage
Propane / LP-gas storage in Fort Myers is regulated by the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th Edition) Chapter 69 incorporating NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code), and by Florida Statute Chapter 527 (Sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The Fort Myers Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau enforces under Chapter 40 of the City Code. Florida law (FS § 718.113(7) and FFPC amendments enacted in 2018) permits LP-gas grills on condominium and multifamily balconies under specified conditions, modifying the prior NFPA 1 ban. Bulk LP-gas installations, dispensing, and commercial sales require licensure by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Bureau of LP Gas Inspection under FS Chapter 527 and a Fort Myers Fire Department permit.
Fort Myers Propane (LP-Gas) Storage Under FFPC and Florida Statute 633
Some RestrictionsLooking for Lee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Myers city rules.
Fire Regulations in Lee County →