Apex, NC Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Apex, NC, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Distance from structure
- 25 feet minimum
- Distance from property line
- 25 feet minimum
- Maximum size
- Four square feet
- Containment required
- Two tiers of brick
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4
Summary
Apex bans backyard campfires unless kept at least 25 feet from any structure and property line, capped at four square feet, and ringed with two tiers of brick under Town Code § 9-48.
Campfires shall not be permitted in the town unless the campfire is located at least 25 feet from any structure and 25 feet from any property line. The campfire shall be no larger than four square feet and shall be surrounded by bricks at least two tiers high. A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor as provided by G.S. 14-4.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 3).
Full Breakdown
Apex's fire code treats campfires as regulated outdoor burning, not an open right: Town Code § 9-48 requires any campfire be at least 25 feet from a structure and 25 feet from a property line, capped at four square feet, and surrounded by bricks stacked at least two tiers high. The rule sits inside the town's outdoor-burning article (Ch. 9, Art. IV), which separately regulates patio wood-burning units like chimineas (20-foot clearance) under § 9-47. Violating § 9-48 is a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, and a violator is also liable for fire-suppression costs under § 9-50.
Violations & Fines
A campfire closer than 25 feet to a structure or property line, larger than four square feet, or without a two-tier brick surround violates § 9-48: a misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, with fire-suppression costs assessed under § 9-50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a campfire in my backyard in Apex, NC?
What about a chiminea or patio fire pit instead of a campfire?
What's the penalty for an illegal campfire in Apex?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apex
How Apex compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Apex to another location·View the North Carolina fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wake County handle fire pits & backyard fires.