Orlando, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Orlando, FL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Note
- Recreational fire limit: 3 ft diameter, 2 ft tall
- Note
- 25 ft clearance from structures and combustibles
- Note
- Only clean seasoned firewood; no yard waste or trash
- Requirement
- Adult must attend with water or extinguisher on hand
- Note
- Burn bans suspend all open burning
Summary
Orlando permits residential recreational fire pits provided they comply with Florida Fire Prevention Code and city nuisance ordinances. Fires must be small (generally under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall), use only seasoned firewood (no yard waste, trash, or treated wood), be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible, and be constantly attended with extinguishing water on hand. Local burn bans issued by the Florida Forest Service or Orlando Fire Department override these allowances during dry conditions.
A person who broadcast burns or pile burns in a manner that violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 'Yard trash' means vegetative matter resulting from landscaping and yard maintenance operations and other such routine property cleanup activities. The term includes materials such as leaves, shrub trimmings, grass clippings, brush, and palm fronds. Persons may be authorized to broadcast burn or pile burn... if there are adequate firebreaks at the burn site and sufficient personnel and firefighting equipment for the containment of the fire.
Full Breakdown
125), supplemented by Orlando Fire Department guidance and city nuisance provisions. A recreational fire is defined as a fire less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, fueled by clean, seasoned firewood, used for cooking, warmth, or recreation. Fire pits must be at least 25 feet from any structure, fence, deck, or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces and chimineas at least 15 feet. Burning of yard waste, leaves, construction debris, treated lumber, or trash is prohibited in city limits. A responsible adult must remain present with a garden hose, fire extinguisher, or buckets of water and dirt until the fire is fully extinguished.
Smoke that creates a nuisance to neighbors, drifts onto roadways, or violates Florida air quality rules can result in code enforcement action. During declared drought, red-flag warnings, or county burn bans, all open burning is suspended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in Orlando?
Can I burn yard waste in my fire pit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orlando
How Orlando compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orlando to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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