Cape Coral, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Cape Coral, FL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Exempt fire size
- 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height max
- Exemption condition
- On owner's property, conducted safely
- Larger open fires
- Require a fee permit (Section 10.10.1)
- Open barbecue setback
- 600 yards from unimproved land/woods/marsh
- General penalty
- $100-$500 fine or up to 60 days jail
- Amending ordinance
- Ord. 9-18, adopted June 4, 2018
Summary
Cape Coral's Fire Prevention Code, locally amended at § 8-10(b)(7), exempts small recreational fires and cooking fires from needing a burn permit as long as they are on the owner's property and the total fuel area does not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Larger open barbecues or barbecue pits burning charcoal or wood are barred within 600 yards of any unimproved property, woods or marsh.
Permits shall not be required for cooking fires and small recreational fires not intended for vegetation or rubbish disposal when conducted safely and on the owner's property. The use of open barbecues or barbecue pits utilizing charcoal or wood shall be prohibited within 600 yards of any unimproved property, woods, or marsh area within the City of Cape Coral. The prohibitions expressly provided herein may be extended by resolution duly adopted by the State Fire Marshal's office. For this section only, the definition of a recreational fire is the noncommercial burning of materials, other than rubbish for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, or similar purpose, in which the fuel burned is not contained in an incinerator, a barbecue grill, or a barbecue pit, and the total fuel area is not exceeding 3 ft. (0.9 m) in diameter and 2 ft. (0.6 m) in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8 adopts the Florida Fire Prevention Code, based on NFPA 1, and locally amends it. " The amendment defines the exempt size: a recreational fire burns fuel "not exceeding 3 ft. 9 m) in diameter and 2 ft. " The State Fire Marshal's office can extend that 600-yard buffer by resolution. During a declared drought-driven burn ban under § 8-14, the city can suspend even the small-fire exemption citywide, though § 8-14(b)(3) preserves the right to keep using charcoal, wood or propane barbecues on your own property during the ban.
Violations & Fines
Kindling an open fire or fire pit larger than the exempt 3-by-2-foot footprint without the Section 10.10.1 fee permit, or burning an open barbecue within 600 yards of unimproved land, woods or marsh, is enforceable under the code's general penalty, § 1-14: a fine of $100 to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both. A substantially affected party may challenge a Fire Code determination through the § 8-11 hearing process before the City Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Cape Coral?
How close to woods can I use a charcoal grill?
Can I still grill during a burn ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cape Coral
How Cape Coral compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Cape Coral to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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