Fire pit rules in Wake County, NC — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Wake County adopts the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code (Wake County Code Ch. 72, adopting the NC State Building Code: Fire Prevention Code). Under NCFC §307.4.2, recreational fires must not be conducted within 25 feet of a combustible structure, and the pile may not exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height per NCFC §307.4.2.
In incorporated Raleigh and across unincorporated Wake County under the adopted NC Fire Code, only heating or cooking fires are permitted as "recreational fires" — burning trash, leaves, or yard debris is prohibited. Portable outdoor fireplaces (chimineas, store-bought fire pits) are governed by NCFC §307.4.3: they may not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. The Fire Code Official has authority under NCFC §307.3 to order any fire extinguished if it creates objectionable smoke, odor, or hazardous conditions. Wake County's Fire Marshal's Office (919-856-6340) enforces in the unincorporated areas; Raleigh Fire Prevention (919-996-6392) enforces inside city limits.
NC Fire Prevention Code violations are punishable under NCGS §143-138(j) and §14-4 as a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines up to $500; the Fire Code Official may also issue stop-work and immediate-extinguish orders under NCFC §109.
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Wake County, NC
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