Fire pit rules in Orleans Parish, LA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
New Orleans has no separate backyard fire-pit permit for a small contained recreational fire, but any open fire on public or private ground requires a Fire Department operational permit. Keep flames small, attended, away from structures, and never burn trash or yard waste.
The city does not license every small chiminea or store-bought fire pit, but the New Orleans Fire Prevention Code requires an operational permit to kindle or maintain an open fire on any public or private ground, so a genuine open fire needs Fire Department approval. Only clean wood or manufactured logs may be burned — burning leaves, grass, household trash or construction debris is barred by Louisiana air rules (LAC 33:III.1109), which do not grant New Orleans the small-parish leaf-burning exception because Orleans Parish exceeds 300,000 residents. Keep any fire attended, well clear of buildings, fences and overhanging branches, and have water or an extinguisher ready.
Fires that become a nuisance or hazard can be ordered extinguished by NOFD; operating an unpermitted open fire or burning prohibited materials can bring fire-code citations and LDEQ enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Orleans Parish's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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