Fire Regulations in Pinellas County, FL (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Pinellas County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

A backyard fire pit in unincorporated Pinellas County needs a cleared burn area at least 15 feet from any structure and at least five feet across, and only clean fuel can go in it.

Pinellas County Fire Pit Setback Rule

Some Restrictions

Pinellas County Code § 58-217(a)

Fire ring means a cleared area on the ground a minimum of 15 feet from a structure, no less than five feet in diameter outside of the burn area where a fire is made of untreated wood, charcoal or other fuels as defined herein. For purposes of this section, a fire ring includes a chimenea or other elevated fireplace used for containing a recreational fire. Garbage means all kitchen and table ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

Selling, exposing for sale, using or exploding fireworks anywhere in Pinellas County is illegal under Code § 62-85(a) except for narrow exemptions in state law or a county fire-authority permit. Sellers must verify every buyer's identification and, where required, their state registration, and keep sales records on site for four years.

Pinellas County Fireworks Sale And Use Ban

Significant Restrictions

Pinellas County Code § 62-85(a)

Except as provided in F.S. §§ 791.02, 791.04, or 791.07, or under division 2 of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to offer for sale at wholesale or retail, expose for sale at wholesale or retail, or use or explode any fireworks within the county.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Open burning is illegal anywhere in Pinellas County, incorporated or unincorporated, unless the fire fits a narrow permitted category. Recreational campfires must sit in a fire ring at least 15 feet from any structure and burn only clean wood or charcoal. Land-clearing, agricultural and industrial burns need a fire-chief or county permit.

Pinellas County Open Burning Ban

Significant Restrictions

Pinellas County Code § 58-210

(a)Any open burning not specifically allowed by this article is prohibited. No person shall ignite, cause to be ignited, permit to be ignited, suffer, allow, burn, conduct or maintain any prohibited open burning.(b)No person shall use or operate any outdoor heating device or burn any unapproved fuel for cold or frost protection except as provided in this article.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Smoke Detectors

Every landlord of a Pinellas County single-family home or duplex must install working smoke detection devices under Code § 22-296(8), which incorporates Florida Statute § 83.51(2)(b)'s smoke-detector mandate directly into the county's minimum housing standards. The duty applies whether or not the unit is ever advertised as a short term rental.

Pinellas Landlord Smoke Detector Duty

Some Restrictions

Pinellas County Code of Ordinances § 22-296(8)

No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let or sublet to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit designed or intended to be used for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, nor shall any vacant dwelling be permitted to exist, which does not comply with the following requirements: ... (8)Smoke detection devices. Every landlord of a single-family home or dupl...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗