Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Kanawha County

Kanawha County, WV Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Fire pit rules in Kanawha County, WV, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.

Key Facts

County Permit
Not required
Fire Seasons
Mar 1–May 31, Oct 1–Dec 31
Season Hours
5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Cleared Ring
10 feet, attended
Statute
W. Va. Code §20-3-5

Summary

Backyard fire pits are legal across Kanawha County with no county permit, but during West Virginia's spring and fall forest-fire seasons even a small warming or cooking fire must sit inside a 10-foot cleared ring and stay attended.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Kanawha County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Small fires set for the purpose of food preparation, or providing light or warmth around which all grass, brush, stubble, or other debris has been removed for a distance of 10 feet from the fire

Source: West Virginia CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

A backyard fire pit needs no county permit in Kanawha County. West Virginia Code §20-3-5 designates March 1 through May 31 and October 1 through December 31 as forest-fire seasons, and during those months an outdoor fire is confined to the hours between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. A small fire for cooking or warmth is exempt from the hour limit only if all grass, brush, and debris is cleared for 10 feet around it and someone stays with it. Burn clean, dry wood, never trash. On the steep wooded hillsides above Charleston, St. Albans, and Nitro, fire climbs fast, so keep water close.

Violations & Fines

Violations of §20-3-5 carry fines of $100 to $1,000 plus a $200 civil penalty. Letting a fire escape onto forest land adds liability for suppression costs and any damage caused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Kanawha County?
No county permit is required. During the spring and fall fire seasons, though, burning is limited to 5 p.m.–7 a.m. unless it is a small, attended cooking or warming fire inside a 10-foot cleared ring.
Can I use my fire pit during fire season?
Yes, but only between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., or any time for a small cooking or warming fire ringed by 10 feet of cleared ground and kept attended.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kanawha County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsOutdoor BurningSome RestrictionsFireworksSome RestrictionsBrush ClearanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Kanawha County rules

How Kanawha County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Kanawha County to another location·View the West Virginia fire regulations overview

Get notified when Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Kanawha County, WV changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

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 Cities Across Kanawha County

Charleston, WV