Backyard Fires: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do backyard fires rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral and Fort Myers have similar restriction levels.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Small recreational backyard fires (fire ring, chiminea, clean-wood campfire) are allowed in Lee County when no burn ban is in effect and Florida Forest Service safety rules are met. During a drought State of Local Emergency, all open backyard fires are banned; food grills remain exempt.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
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.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational fire | Allowed (no ban active) | - |
| Fuel | Clean dry wood only | - |
| Attend fire | At all times | - |
| Burn-ban trigger | KBDI 600+ | - |
| Grills | Exempt from ban | - |
| Recreational Fire Max | - | 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height |
| Recreational Fire Setback | - | 25 ft from structures/combustibles |
| Portable Outdoor Fireplace Setback | - | 15 ft (manufacturer instructions) |
| Bonfire | - | Permit + fire marshal site inspection |
| Burn Ban Override | - | Lee Co. Ord. 18-09 (KBDI ≥ 600) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Are backyard campfires legal in Lee County?
Yes, when no burn ban is active. Keep the fire small and contained, burn only clean wood, and attend it constantly with water nearby.
How do I know if a burn ban is in effect?
Lee County announces burn bans on leegov.com and its social media. Bans are enacted when drought pushes the KBDI to 600 or above.
Fort Myers FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire in Fort Myers?
No permit is required for a recreational fire (3 ft diameter, 2 ft height of natural firewood, 25 ft from structures) or for a portable outdoor fireplace (chiminea or manufactured fire bowl) operated per manufacturer instructions. Bonfires larger than the recreational-fire size require a permit from the Fort Myers Fire Department and a site inspection by the fire marshal or designee before ignition.
Can I have a chiminea on my Fort Myers patio?
Yes, when no Lee County burn ban is in effect. NFPA 1 (incorporated into the Florida Fire Prevention Code) treats a chiminea or manufactured fire bowl as a portable outdoor fireplace and requires a 15-foot clearance from structures and combustibles, operation per manufacturer instructions, and constant attendance by an adult. Cooking grills are separately exempt.
What happens if Lee County declares a burn ban?
Under Lee County Ordinance 18-09, when the Board of County Commissioners declares an emergency burn ban (typically when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaches 600 or higher), all outdoor ignition sources are prohibited inside Fort Myers city limits, including recreational fires, bonfires, and portable outdoor fireplaces. Cooking food on a residential grill remains permitted.
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