Fire pit rules in Bay County, FL — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Bay County allows small, attended recreational wood fires kept about 25 feet from structures under the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Propane and gas pits are fine year-round; wood fires stop during a burn ban.
Recreational wood fires are allowed in Bay County when contained in a pit or approved appliance, kept small, attended, and roughly 25 feet from any structure or property line; portable outdoor fireplaces and propane pits may sit closer. Never burn trash, treated wood, or hauled-in debris in a recreational fire. This is one of the most lightning-prone corners of the country, and Hurricane Michael left heavy downed timber across the county, so dry-season embers travel fast. During drought the Florida Forest Service and county suspend all burning, and Gulf and St. Andrew Bay breezes carry sparks; keep a hose or extinguisher within reach.
Unattended or oversized fires draw a warning, then fire-code fines. A fire that escapes into pine flatwoods or a neighbor's lot can bring criminal charges under Florida's wildfire laws (Fla. Stat. ch. 590) plus suppression-cost recovery.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bay County, FL
Bay County does not specifically regulate residential holiday decorations, and no permit is required. Displays must not obstruct the right-of-way or sight li...
Bay County, FL
Bay County treats garage-sale signs as temporary signs under Chapter 30 of its Land Development Regulations. Keep them on private property with the owner's p...
Bay County, FL
Bay County allows political signs on private property but bans them from the public right-of-way. Under content-neutral sign rules, campaign signs are treate...
Bay County, FL
Unincorporated Bay County has no general registration for long-term residential rentals, and Fla. Stat. 83.425 preempts local tenancy regulation. Registratio...
Bay County, FL
Florida has no just-cause eviction law, and 2023's Fla. Stat. 83.425 preempts cities and counties from creating one. Bay County landlords may end a month-to-...
Bay County, FL
Florida flatly bans local rent control. Neither Bay County nor Panama City, Panama City Beach, or Lynn Haven may cap rent or limit increases. The 2023 Live L...
See how Bay County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.