Volusia County, FL Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Volusia County, FL, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 20-114, Volusia County Code
- Last amended
- Ordinance No. 2022-20, June 21, 2022
- Allowed
- Self-contained portable fire pits only
- Ash disposal
- Designated receptacle required
Summary
Volusia County bans open campfires on its beaches and beach approaches but carves out a specific exception for portable fire pits. Sec. 20-114 also makes it unlawful to dump hot coals, briquettes, or embers from any stove or grill anywhere except a designated disposal receptacle.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have an open campfire on the beach or an approach, except for portable fire pits. It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of any coals, briquettes, embers or other heated object from any stove or grill other than in a designated receptacle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 20-114, part of the Beach Code's general-conduct division (Sec. ' The provision, most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2022-20 on June 21, 2022, draws a bright line between an open campfire, built directly on the sand, and a self-contained portable fire pit, which remains allowed. The same section separately bans dumping 'coals, briquettes, embers or other heated object from any stove or grill' anywhere on the beach except in a receptacle designated for that purpose, addressing the burn hazard of hot ash left in the sand for beachgoers and lifeguards.
Sec. 20-114 cross-references Chapter 54, the county's fire prevention and protection code, for any additional fire-safety standards beyond this beach-specific rule. Because the section is codified within the general beach-conduct division rather than the vehicular-traffic division, it applies to every beach user on foot, not only to permitted vehicle or concession operators.
Violations & Fines
An open campfire on the beach, or dumping hot coals or embers outside a designated receptacle, is enforced under Sec. 20-111's penalty clause, which routes to the county's general penalty in Sec. 1-7: up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, with continuing violations charged per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a campfire directly on a Volusia County beach?
Where can I dump the ashes from my beach fire pit?
What's the penalty for an illegal beach campfire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Volusia County
How Volusia County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Volusia County to another location·View the Florida fire regulations overview
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