Fire pit rules in San Antonio, TX — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
San Antonio allows commercially sold fire pits with 25-foot clearance from structures. Spark arrestor screens must be in place. Fire pits cannot be used beneath balconies, porches, or overhangs. Multifamily properties (Group R Div 1 & 2) face stricter rules including 10-foot combustible surface setbacks.
Commercially sold wood-burning devices (outdoor fireplaces, fire bowls, chimeneas) are approved in San Antonio if: spark arrestor screen is in place, trash is not being burned, smoke doesn't enter surrounding buildings, and no fire hazard is created. Recreational fires require 25-foot clearance from structures and combustible materials. Open-flame cooking and heating devices are prohibited within 10 feet of combustible surfaces and beneath any balcony, porch, roof overhang, or deck. Multifamily (Group R, Division 1 & 2) properties have the strictest rules — no incinerators, BBQ pits, grills, or fuel-burning devices that create fire hazards. No permit is required for standard residential fire pits meeting these conditions.
Fire hazard creation: citation and fine $100–$2,000. Burning trash in fire pit: illegal, immediate citation. Multifamily violations: additional fire code enforcement.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bexar County.
See how other cities in Bexar County handle fire pit rules.
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