Cranston, RI Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Cranston, RI, 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
- 10 feet minimum
- Setback from structures
- 10 feet minimum
- Enclosure material
- brick, masonry, metal, non-combustible
- Attendance
- adult must attend at all times
- Governing law
- Cranston Code § 8.08.200
Summary
Cranston bans open fires citywide except cooking fires on barbecues, fireplaces, or grills kept at least 10 feet from the neighboring property line and fully enclosed in non-combustible material with an adult attending.
No person shall kindle or maintain any fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained in the city of Cranston with the following exceptions: ... Cooking of food on barbecues, fireplaces or grills shall at least be ten (10) feet from the property line of each adjacent owner. ... All cooking and/or fire features must be contained in an enclosure that is constructed from brick, masonry, metal or other non-combustible material. ... An adult must be in attendance at all times the cooking equipment is in use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston Code § 8.08.200 prohibits kindling or maintaining any fire in the city, with one exception: cooking fires on barbecues, fireplaces, or grills. Those fires must sit at least 10 feet from every adjacent property line and at least 10 feet from any structure, and the cooking area must be fully enclosed in brick, masonry, metal, or other non-combustible material. No trash, leaves, stumps, or treated, painted, or varnished lumber may be burned, and an adult must attend the fire the entire time it burns. Existing permanent cooking structures already in place as of 2017 may remain.
Violations & Fines
Cranston's general penalty applies: violating the outdoor-fire rule is punishable by a fine up to $200.00, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both, per Cranston Code § 1.08.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a backyard fire pit in Cranston?
Can I burn trash or leaves in a backyard fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
How Cranston compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island fire regulations overview
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