Littleton, CO Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Littleton, CO, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code Chapter 5-4, Fire Ban Adoption
- Recreational fire size cap
- 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height (Section 5-4-2)
- Restriction trigger
- City Manager declares Stage 1/2 (Section 5-4-3)
- Fire pit exception during a ban
- Allowed if supervised by adult 18+
- Penalty
- Fine/jail per Section 1-4-1 (Section 5-4-8)
Summary
Littleton defines a lawful recreational fire, including a fire pit, as one with a fuel area no more than 3 feet across and 2 feet high, covering charcoal grills, chimineas and portable fireplaces. During a declared Stage 1 or Stage 2 fire restriction, residential fire pits stay legal only if a person at least 18 years old supervises them the entire time they burn.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: ... An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator and that has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. ... ... 7. Residential use of charcoal grills, Tiki torches, chimineas or other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits where allowed by code. Fires must be supervised by a responsible person of at least 18 years of age.
Full Breakdown
Littleton's fire-pit rules live in City Code Chapter 5-4, Fire Ban Adoption, adopted by Ordinance 03 of 2020 and effective February 18, 2020. Section 5-4-2 defines a RECREATIONAL FIRE as an outdoor fire, other than rubbish burning, with a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height, built for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes; the definition expressly reaches charcoal barbeque grills, barbeque pits, fire pits, fixed permanent outdoor fireplaces, barrel or drum fires, portable outdoor fireplaces (chimineas) and tiki torches.
Any fire that does not meet that definition is treated as an open fire for enforcement purposes under the same section. Day to day, a backyard fire pit is not separately licensed or permitted by the city; the rules bite once the City Manager, under Section 5-4-3, declares Stage 1 fire restrictions or a Stage 2 fire ban, which the Manager may do after Arapahoe, Douglas or Jefferson County declares restrictions in its unincorporated areas or South Metro Fire Rescue recommends them. During a declared Stage 1 or Stage 2 period, Section 5-4-5 makes it unlawful to build, maintain, attend to or use a recreational or open fire in the city, but carves out residential use of charcoal grills, tiki torches, chimineas and other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, provided a person at least eighteen years old supervises the fire at all times.
Propane, LP or natural gas fueled fire pits that do not emit sparks or embers stay allowed as well. The City Manager publishes every declaration and its withdrawal on the city website, specifying the start date, geographic scope and whether Stage 1 or Stage 2 applies.
Violations & Fines
Building or attending an open or recreational fire during a declared Stage 1 or Stage 2 period is prosecuted under Section 5-4-7: a peace officer who witnesses the violation may issue a summons and complaint directly, and for unattended or abandoned fire sites the summons is posted on the premises and mailed by certified mail. Section 5-4-8 sets the penalty at a fine or imprisonment up to the limits in Section 1-4-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my backyard fire pit in Littleton right now?
What happens to fire pits once the city declares fire restrictions?
Who decides when fire restrictions start in Littleton?
Are propane fire pits treated differently than wood-burning ones during a ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Littleton
How Littleton compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Littleton to another location·View the Colorado fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle fire pits & backyard fires.