Roswell, GA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Roswell, GA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Fire pit size limit
- Max 3 ft across, 2 ft high
- Clearance from structures
- 25 feet (15 ft for portable fireplaces)
- Attendance
- Must be constantly attended with extinguisher
- Exceeding limits
- Requires a fire department permit
Summary
Roswell allows recreational campfires and fire pits only if confined to a pit or barbeque no more than 3 feet across with 2 feet of fuel, kept 25 feet from any structure; portable manufactured fireplaces need just 15 feet.
Campfires and fires used solely for recreational or ceremonial occasions, provided that fires shall not be conducted within twenty-five (25) feet of a structure or combustible material and is in a pit or barbeque, not more than three (3) feet across in any direction and the materials to be burned are not more than two (2) feet high. A fire department permit is required to exceed these requirements. Exception: Fires in commercially manufactured portable outdoor fire places shall not be conducted within fifteen (15) feet of a structure or combustible material.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Under § 8.3.15(a)(2), campfires and fires used solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes are exempt from Roswell's open-burning ban only if they sit in a pit or barbeque no more than 3 feet across in any direction, hold no more than 2 feet of burning material, and are kept at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material; a commercially manufactured portable outdoor fireplace needs only 15 feet of clearance. A fire department permit is required to exceed those limits. Fires must be constantly attended, with a fire extinguisher or equivalent on hand, until fully extinguished, per § 8.3.15(d).
Violations & Fines
Violations are punishable by a fine of $25.00 to $500.00 per offense under § 8.3.15(g), with each day a separate offense; a fire that requires a fire department response also makes the violator liable for response costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a backyard fire pit be in Roswell, Georgia?
Do portable fire pits get the same 25-foot clearance rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roswell
How Roswell compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Roswell to another location·View the Georgia fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle fire pits & backyard fires.