Bellevue, WA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Bellevue, WA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Recreational fire setback
- 25 feet from structures
- Portable fireplace setback
- 15 feet from structures
- Bonfire setback
- 50 feet (or in a barbecue pit)
- Permit needed for
- Bonfires only, not rec. fires
- Attendance rule
- Constantly attended, 4-A extinguisher on site
Summary
Bellevue lets residents burn recreational fires and use portable outdoor fireplaces without a permit, but recreational fires must stay 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and be constantly attended with an extinguisher on hand. Bonfires need a fire code permit and a 50-foot setback.
307.4 Location. The location for fires shall be as follows: 307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. 307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. 307.5 Attendance. Bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6929, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
2 sets the recreational fire setback: recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and conditions that could cause the fire to spread within that 25-foot zone must be eliminated before ignition. 3 and must be used per the manufacturer's instructions. 2; recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces do not need a permit. 5 requires that bonfires, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces be constantly attended until fully extinguished, with at least one portable fire extinguisher rated 4-A (or equivalent on-site suppression like a hose, dirt, sand or a water barrel) kept immediately available.
1. All of these fires remain subject to the citywide open-burning ban and any active burn ban issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency or the fire code official, meaning even a compliant, properly set-back fire pit must be doused if a burn ban is in effect. The provisions were enacted by Ordinance 6782, Sections 1 and 2, in 2024.
Violations & Fines
The fire code official can order extinguishment of any fire that creates or adds to a hazardous situation, or where a required bonfire permit was never obtained, under BCC 23.11.307.3; broader fire code violation and abatement authority under 23.11.112 and 23.11.112.4.1 applies to fire pits operated in violation of setback, attendance or burn-ban rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Bellevue?
How far from my house does a fire pit need to be?
Can I use a fire pit during a burn ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellevue
How Bellevue compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Bellevue to another location·View the Washington fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle fire pits & backyard fires.