Fire pit rules in Middlesex County, NJ — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Backyard fire pits in Middlesex County follow the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, which adopts International Fire Code recreational-fire rules. Recreational fires under three feet across need no permit, but must stay 25 feet from structures and be constantly attended with water or an extinguisher nearby.
Fire pits are regulated statewide by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70), which incorporates International Fire Code Section 307 as amended. A 'recreational fire' is an outdoor fire with a fuel area no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet high, burned for pleasure and not for waste disposal. These require no permit and no notification to the fire official. Under IFC 307.4.2, recreational fires must not be within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must stay 15 feet away, though that distance is waived at one- and two-family homes. Individual Middlesex municipalities may add stricter local rules, so residents should confirm with their town fire bureau.
Fires larger than a recreational fire, or set too close to structures or without attendance, may be ordered extinguished by the fire official and can draw fines under the Uniform Fire Code. Burning trash or leaves in a pit is
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