Elyria, OH Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 521.14 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances, titled Recreational Fires, sets the city's own backyard fire standards, enforced by the Fire Department and the Fire Code Official. Division (a)(7)A defines a recreational fire as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish, where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and where the total fuel area is three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Such fires are for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

The setback is in (a)(7)B: no recreational fire within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and conditions that could spread fire within that 25 feet must be eliminated before ignition. Attendance is covered by (a)(2): the fire must be constantly attended until it is extinguished, and at least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating, or other approved on-site equipment such as dirt, sand, a water barrel, a garden hose or a water truck, must be available for immediate use.

A recreational fire needs no prior notification to the code official under (a)(1). A bonfire is a different thing: (a)(4) defines it as an outdoor fire used for ceremonial purposes, requires it to stay 50 feet from a structure or combustible material unless contained in a barbecue pit, and (a)(5) requires a permit from the Fire Code Official, issued only to the owner of the land. Under (a)(6), burning that is offensive because of smoke or odor, or hazardous because of atmospheric conditions, is prohibited, and the Fire Code Official can order it extinguished. Division (a)(3) adds that any burning requiring State or local air quality authorization needs that approval first. Section 521.13 governs the air-quality limits on the same fires.