Clearwater, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Clearwater, FL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 17.06(1)(b)
- Exempted devices
- Barbecue pit, grill, exterior fireplace, cookout device
- Permit trigger
- Only non-exempt "open fire," Sec. 17.06(2)(b)
- Setback distance
- Not set in this chapter
- Enforcing officials
- Fire chief and fire marshal
Summary
Clearwater's open-fire permit requirement does not apply to backyard fire pits, grills or exterior fireplaces: Sec. 17.06(1)(b) defines those devices out of the "open fire" category that otherwise needs a fire department permit. No numeric setback is set in this chapter.
Open fire means the combustion of any matter outside of a building, except fires kindled in a barbecue pit or grill, exterior fireplace, cookout device, or similar out-of-doors eating or cooking device, and except the fires kindled for the instruction of personnel in the methods of fighting fires.
Full Breakdown
Sec. " Because subsection (2)(b) only requires a permit before a person may "start or permit an open fire" on their own or another's property, a fire confined to a barbecue pit, grill, exterior fireplace or similar cookout device falls outside that permit trigger entirely. The chapter does not set a numeric setback distance for these exempted cooking devices; any distance requirement for placement of a fire pit or outdoor fireplace on a lot would come from the separately published Community Development Code or the adopted Florida Fire Prevention Code (Sec.
32), not from this section. The fire chief or fire marshal administers permits and enforcement for anything that does not qualify for the exemption, and the city manager, fire chief and fire marshal each have authority to suspend an unpermitted or violating open-fire operation under subsection (5).
Violations & Fines
Because a compliant barbecue pit, grill or exterior fireplace is excluded from the "open fire" definition, using one carries no permit violation under Sec. 17.06; a fire that exceeds the cookout-device exemption and lacks a permit is a civil infraction under Sec. 1.12, and the fire chief, fire marshal or city manager may order it extinguished immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Clearwater?
Is there a required setback for a fire pit from the property line?
Can the city make me put out a fire pit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clearwater
How Clearwater compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Clearwater to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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