Frisco, TX Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Frisco, TX, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Minimum distance from house
- 15 feet from the primary structure
- Minimum distance from combustibles
- 10 feet from any combustible item
- Permit required
- Yes, same as any accessory structure
- Easement placement
- Prohibited in any easement
- Fine range
- $200 to $2,000 per day, per offense
- Governing table
- Figure 4.06.04.1, Section 4.06.04
Summary
Frisco's Zoning Ordinance treats a backyard fire pit as a 'recreational fire enclosure,' one of the accessory structures listed in Figure 4.06.04.1. A fire pit must sit at least 15 feet from the primary dwelling and 10 feet from any combustible item, and it needs a building permit before installation, the same as every other accessory structure under Section 7.01.01.
Accessory Structure. Any structure, either attached or detached from the main dwelling, the use of which is incidental to that of the main structure and located on the same lot. Accessory structures include, but are not limited to patio covers, arbors, gazebos, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and/or recreational fire enclosures, trellis, and structures/sheds or the like. A permit is required for all accessory structures. ... Fire Pit ... 15' minimum distance from the primary structure 10' minimum distance from any combustible item.
Full Breakdown
The Frisco Zoning Ordinance's Section 7 definitions list 'Accessory Structure' to include patio covers, arbors, gazebos, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and/or recreational fire enclosures, trellis, and structures/sheds, and states plainly that a permit is required for all accessory structures. 04, Area Regulations for Accessory Structures. That table sets two numeric clearances specific to fire pits: a minimum of 15 feet from the primary structure and a minimum of 10 feet from any combustible item, on top of the setback lines that apply to every other accessory structure.
Those general rules, printed in the same figure, bar any accessory structure, fire pit included, from sitting inside an easement, from encroaching into the side yard setback between the front and rear yard lines, or from projecting past the front face of the primary structure. A fire pit built within 10 feet of the house, or closer than 10 feet to a fence, wood pile, or other combustible material, does not meet the standard regardless of a permit having been issued. 01 governs any pit built before the current setback table took effect.
Violations & Fines
A fire pit placed inside the required setback, inside an easement, or built without an accessory-structure permit exposes the property owner to the Zoning Ordinance's general penalty clause, Section 8.01.02. Each violation is a separate offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $2,000, and every day the noncompliant fire pit remains is its own offense. The minimum fine doubles for a second conviction of the same offense within 24 months and triples for a third, on top of the City's right to sue to enjoin the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can a fire pit be to my house in Frisco?
Do I need a permit to install a fire pit in Frisco?
Can I build a fire pit inside my side yard easement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Frisco
How Frisco compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Frisco to another location·View the Texas fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle fire pits & backyard fires.