Dade City, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 46-4 of the Dade City Code of Ordinances prohibits open burning citywide, but § 46-4(a)(2) exempts campfires and bonfires intended solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes, provided the fire conforms to fire department guidelines for that type of fire and prior approval is obtained from city fire rescue before it is lit. That approval requirement distinguishes a backyard fire pit from the barbecue-grill exception in § 46-4(a)(1), which covers devices specifically designed for food preparation and needs no advance sign-off. Even an approved campfire or bonfire is still bound by § 46-4(b)'s materials restriction, which bars burning tires, rubber, tar, railroad crossties, creosoted lumber, plastics, waste, pesticide containers, food garbage, building materials or trash in any permitted burn, recreational or otherwise.

Section 46-4(c) gives city fire rescue or the state division of forestry authority to extinguish, or order extinguished, any fire that is unauthorized, does not comply with the section, or is found to create a nuisance or hazard to health or property, meaning even an approved campfire can be put out if it becomes a problem. This provision traces to the original 1956 code, § 10-7, and was substantively rewritten by Ord. No. 2000-0761, adopted November 28, 2000, which added the current list of exceptions and the materials restriction.