Utah County, UT Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Utah County, UT, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Section
- UCC 6.11.090, Outdoor Fires
- Fuel pile limit
- 3 ft diameter, 1 ft high
- Spark screen openings
- Max 1/2 inch
- Attendance
- Constant, with extinguishing equipment ready
- Penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, $1,000/6 months
Summary
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated Utah County's Wildland/Urban Interface zone are capped by Utah County Code § 6.11.090 at a 3-foot-diameter, 1-foot-high fuel pile, must have an approved spark screen with openings no larger than half an inch, and require constant attendance with fire-extinguishing equipment on hand.
The pile of fuel to be burned in the fire area for recreational fires shall not be larger than three (3) feet in diameter and one (1) foot in height. A garden hose connected to a water supply or other approved fire-extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use at recreational fires. Recreational fires are required to be constantly attended by a person knowledgeable in the use of the fire-extinguishing equipment. The attendant shall supervise the burning material until the fire has been extinguished. Openings in fireplaces – including fire pits – shall be provided with an approved spark arrestor, screen or door. Fire pits shall have a flat or doomed spark screen constructed of woven or welded wire or approved metal and have openings not exceeding one half (1/2) inch.
Full Breakdown
090 treats a backyard fire pit as a recreational fire, distinct from the barbecue and grill exception covered elsewhere in the same section. ' Every fire pit also needs standby suppression: 'A garden hose connected to a water supply or other approved fire-extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use at recreational fires,' and the fire cannot be left alone, since 'recreational fires are required to be constantly attended by a person knowledgeable in the use of the fire-extinguishing equipment' until it is fully out.
' These recreational-fire rules apply on top of the section's opening requirement that any outdoor fire in the WUI needs a written permit from the code official unless it falls under a listed exception, so a resident building a fire pit for the first time should confirm with the Fire Marshal's Bureau of Fire Prevention whether a permit is required before lighting it. 11.
Violations & Fines
An oversized fuel pile, a missing spark screen, or an unattended fire pit is a violation of UCC § 6.11.090. Under § 6.06.070 any WUI fire-chapter violation is a class B misdemeanor, and § 1.04.010 sets the penalty at up to a $1,000 fine and six months in county jail, with each day of a continuing violation, such as a still-uncorrected spark screen, counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my backyard fire pit fire be?
What kind of spark screen do I need?
Can I leave my fire pit burning unattended?
Do I need a permit for a fire pit in the WUI?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Utah County
How Utah County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Utah County to another location·View the Utah fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.