Huntington Beach Fire Pit Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Huntington Beach permits residential fire pits under the California Fire Code as locally adopted, with specific attention to the setback, fuel, and operational requirements that protect the densely built coastal neighborhoods typical of the city. Portable fire pits — whether wood-burning bowls, metal fire rings, or gas-fueled tables — and permanently installed fire features such as built-in gas fire tables and outdoor fireplaces are all permitted on private residential property.

For wood-burning fire pits, the California Fire Code requires a minimum clearance of 15 feet from any structure, fence, overhead canopy, tree branch, or combustible material. Portable wood-burning fire pits should not exceed 3 feet in diameter at the opening and must be placed on a non-combustible surface such as concrete, pavers, or bare earth — not on a wood deck or artificial turf. Only clean, dry, seasoned firewood or commercially manufactured fire logs may be burned. All wood-burning fire pits are subject to SCAQMD Rule 444, meaning they cannot be used on mandatory curtailment days when wood burning is prohibited basin-wide.

Gas-fueled fire pits — including portable propane fire tables and permanently plumbed natural gas fire features — are increasingly popular in Huntington Beach because they are exempt from SCAQMD wood-burning curtailment restrictions and produce no visible smoke. Permanently installed natural gas fire features must be installed by a licensed contractor and may require a building permit for the gas line work. Propane fire pits require proper storage of the propane tank in accordance with fire code.

Huntington Beach is famously home to public beach fire rings at Huntington City Beach and adjacent Bolsa Chica State Beach. These public fire rings are managed by the City of Huntington Beach Parks Division and California State Parks, respectively, and are subject to their own separate rules regarding hours of use, fuel type, cleanup requirements, and availability. Public beach fire rings operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are a distinct regulatory category from private residential fire pits.