7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Hillsborough County permits residential fire pits under Fire Rescue rules when kept small, contained, and at least 15 feet from structures. Portable propane and natural gas units are generally allowed on patios. Wood-burning pits require supervision and a water source on hand, with burn bans suspending use during drought.
Consumer fireworks are legal in unincorporated Hillsborough County on the three state-designated holidays only: July 4, December 31, and January 1. Outside those dates, only sparklers and novelties from the approved list may be used. Agricultural exemption use has been narrowed by the 2020 Fireworks Law.
F.S. 791.08 — Use during designated holidays; exemption
791.08 Use during designated holidays; exemption. — (1) As used in this section, the term "designated holiday" means: (a) New Year's Day, January 1; (b) Independence Day, July 4; or (c) New Year's Eve, December 31. (2) This chapter does not prohibit the use of fireworks solely and exclusively during a designated holiday. This section is not intended to provide for the comprehensive regulation o...
Hillsborough County requires property owners in wildland-urban interface areas, particularly the rural eastern county and agricultural zones near Plant City, to maintain defensible space. Tall grass, palmetto, and accumulated vegetation must be cleared within 30 feet of structures during dry season.
Open burning of yard waste in unincorporated Hillsborough County requires a Florida Forest Service authorization and must follow FAC 5I-2. Piles must be under 8 feet, set back 25 feet from woods and 50 feet from structures, and attended at all times. Burning household trash is prohibited.
Eastern Hillsborough County including areas around Balm, Lithia, Wimauma, and the Green Swamp fringe contains significant wildland-urban interface with pine flatwoods and palmetto fuels. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index triggers county burn bans, and Fire Rescue maintains pre-positioned brush trucks.
Florida Building Code and Fire Prevention Code require working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level of a Hillsborough County home. Homes built after 2015 require interconnected hardwired alarms with battery backup. Landlords must provide and maintain functioning alarms.
F.S. 553.883 — Smoke alarms in one-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes
553.883 Smoke alarms in one-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes. — One-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes undergoing a repair, or a level 1 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code, may use smoke alarms powered by 10-year nonremovable, nonreplaceable batteries in lieu of retrofitting such dwelling with smoke alarms powered by the dwelling's electrical system. A ba...
Recreational backyard fires for cooking and warmth are permitted in unincorporated Hillsborough County without a permit when kept small and contained. Fires must be 25 feet from structures, use only clean wood, and be attended with a water source. Active burn bans suspend wood fires.
3 cities in Hillsborough County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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