Celina, TX Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Celina, TX, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Setback from property line
- 3 feet (detached)
- Corner side yard setback
- 15 feet
- Permit threshold
- Required if over 120 sq ft
- Front yard placement
- Not allowed
Summary
Celina treats a backyard fire pit as an accessory structure: no building permit if it's 120 sq. ft. or smaller, but it must sit at least 3 feet from every property line.
Accessory structures include, but are not limited to, detached garages and carports, patio covers, arbors, gazebos, cabanas, outdoor kitchens, recreational fire-pits, sheds, ground mounted solar panels/devices, and other enclosures. An accessory structure that is less than or equal to 120 square feet...shall not be required to obtain a building permit, but shall meet all height and setback requirements...Detached accessory structures in residential zoning districts shall observe the following setbacks: ...Typical setback shall be three (3) feet from all property lines.
Full Breakdown
Celina's zoning code lists "recreational fire-pits" by name among accessory structures like sheds and outdoor kitchens under § 14.03.201. A detached fire pit 120 square feet or smaller needs no building permit, but it still must meet all height and setback rules: a flat 3-foot setback from every property line (15 feet on a corner side yard), and it can never sit in the front yard or between the house and the street. Separately, Article 5.04 of the fire code makes burning an open fire without a city burn permit a misdemeanor, with safeguards (a 300-foot separation from structures, a 50-foot firebreak, constant attendance) written for open/brush burning rather than a contained backyard pit.
Violations & Fines
Building a fire pit closer than 3 feet to a property line, or in a front yard, is a zoning violation subject to a stop-work order and correction; burning without safeguards under Article 5.04 is a misdemeanor fined up to $1,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small backyard fire pit in Celina?
How far from my property line must a fire pit be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Celina
How Celina compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Celina to another location·View the Texas 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 Collin County handle fire pits & backyard fires.