Pasco County, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Pasco County, FL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 5I-2.006(11); Pasco Code Ch. 46, Art. IV
- Allowed fuel
- Vegetative debris and untreated wood
- Attendance
- Must be attended at all times
- Wind
- Do not burn on windy days
- Suppression
- Keep water hose or shovel handy
Summary
Backyard recreational fires (campfires and warming fires) are allowed in unincorporated Pasco County under Florida Forest Service rule 5I-2.006(11) without a burn authorization, but only vegetative debris and untreated wood may be burned and the fire must be attended at all times. Pasco County Fire Rescue adds that you should never leave a fire unattended, keep a water hose or shovel handy, and not burn on windy days.
Outdoor Burning Safety Tips: Check with your local Florida Forest Service office to make sure it is legal to burn in your area. Make sure you meet the required setbacks. Burn only yard waste, no household garbage (include paper products and newspapers). Don't burn on windy days. Never leave a fire unattended. Keep a water hose or shovel handy in case your fire escapes.
Full Breakdown
Recreational backyard fires in unincorporated Pasco County are governed by Chapter 46, Article IV of the County Code and Florida Forest Service rule Fla. Admin. Code R. 5I-2.006. Subsection (11) provides that the open burning of vegetative debris and untreated wood in a campfire, outdoor fireplace, or other contained outdoor heating or cooking device is allowed without authorization, and that any such fire must be attended at all times. Pasco County Fire Rescue's Outdoor Burning Safety Tips reinforce the rules for any backyard fire: check with your local Florida Forest Service office to confirm it is legal to burn in your area, make sure you meet the required setbacks, burn only yard waste (no household garbage including paper products and newspapers), don't burn on windy days, never leave a fire unattended, and keep a water hose or shovel handy in case the fire escapes. During a Pasco County emergency burn ban, recreational and backyard burning is prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a backyard fire unattended, burning prohibited materials, or burning during an emergency burn ban can result in enforcement by Pasco County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service. If a fire escapes, the responsible party is liable for suppression costs and may face a second-degree misdemeanor under Fla. Stat. 590.28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are backyard campfires legal in unincorporated Pasco County?
What safety rules does Pasco County recommend?
Can I have a backyard fire during a burn ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
How Pasco County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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