Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Top 25: Most Conditions

Locations are sorted by the severity rating assigned when each row was authored from the city's code, with ties broken alphabetically by name. For this topic, "strict" means a permit requirement, large setbacks, tight size and fuel limits, or an outright ban on wood fires. "Permissive" means recreational fires are allowed with only basic attendance and clearance conditions.

1. 1

   Allentown, PAHeavy Restrictions25 feet minimum from any structure

   The City of Allentown treats a backyard fire pit as a campfire, which requires a permit and a pre-lighting inspection by the Fire Prevention Office. The fire may be in an approved open container or on the ground, must sit at least 25 feet from any structure, and the pile may not exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height. Only one burning permit per month per property is allowed and burn time is capped at three hours.

2. 2

   Amarillo, TXHeavy RestrictionsUp to $2,000 fine per day, Sec. 1-1-5(b)

   Amarillo's Fire Code amendments prohibit recreational fires anywhere inside the city limits. Backyard fire pits, bonfires, and similar open burning aren't permitted within Amarillo proper, per Sec. 10-2-16's 2021 International Fire Code amendment 307.4.2. The Amarillo Fire Marshal enforces the ban under the same fire-code penalty structure that covers the rest of Chapter 10-2.

3. 3

   Boulder, COHeavy RestrictionsRequired from Boulder Fire Rescue

   Boulder bans mobile and portable outdoor fireplaces, the store-bought steel bowl or basket fire pit, everywhere in the city under Fire Code § 307(2). A recreational fire is only legal in an exterior fireplace built to the City of Boulder Building Code, or as a permitted 'ceremonial fire' contained in a code-defined ceremonial fire pit or chantico, with a charged garden hose on hand and a 15 mph wind cutoff.

4. 4

   Bridgeport, CTHeavy RestrictionsOnly for material with no disposal alternative

   Bridgeport prohibits any open fire outside a building, anywhere in the city, unless it falls under a narrow burning permit or an official-duty exception: recreational fire pits and bonfires generally don't qualify.

5. 5

   Chicago, ILHeavy Restrictions

   Chicago's code makes it unlawful to burn wood, paper, leaves, or any combustible material in open fires or metal containers: a ban that reaches ordinary backyard fire pits unless conducted under the state's limited open-burning exceptions.

6. 6

   Cleveland, OHHeavy RestrictionsSmall recreational fires under 3 feet across are generally permitted with 25-foot setback

   Backyard fires are restricted under Ohio EPA rule OAC 3745-19 and the Ohio Fire Code. Small contained cooking fires are allowed with setbacks, but open burning of yard waste, leaves, and trash is prohibited in Cleveland.

7. 7

   Contra Costa County, CAHeavy Restrictions10 ft (Section 4104.2)

   Backyard burning in unincorporated Contra Costa County is tightly limited: BAAQMD Regulation 5 prohibits burning yard waste, and recreational wood fires aren't among its allowed categories. The Fire Code lets officials declare hazardous fires a public nuisance, and suppression costs can be billed to the property owner.

8. 8

   Daly City, CAHeavy Restrictions25 ft open fires; 15 ft portable fireplaces

   Backyard fires in chimineas, fire bowls, and portable fireplaces are allowed in Daly City under the adopted California Fire Code, but only burning clean fuels -- never rubbish or yard waste -- and never during a Bay Area Spare the Air Alert, when all wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors.

9. 9

   Denton, TXHeavy Restrictions300 ft from structures

   Recreational fires, including backyard fire pits and campfire-style gatherings, are banned everywhere inside Denton's city limits under the locally amended fire code, with only a narrow bonfire exception.

10. 10

    Durham, NCHeavy Restrictions$5,000 (ordinary) / $10,000 (willful)

    Durham bans burning leaves, brush, trash, or any other refuse anywhere within city limits as an amendment to the adopted North Carolina Fire Prevention Code, leaving only a narrow exception for commercial contractors clearing large open areas under a Fire Prevention Division permit.

11. 11

    East Honolulu, HIHeavy Restrictions

    East Honolulu follows the City and County of Honolulu Fire Code: recreational, decorative, or ceremonial open fires (including backyard fire pits and bonfires) require the property owner's written permission plus a letter submitted to the fire department at least 14 days before the event.

12. 12

    Jersey City, NJHeavy Restrictions$2,000 fine / 90 days (§ 1-25)

    Jersey City's zoning code bans open burning outright: 'No open burning shall be permitted in any district,' with no exception carved out for fire pits, chimineas, or backyard bonfires. The rule sits in the zoning chapter's air pollution performance standards, which apply to every district, residential, commercial, and industrial alike.

13. 13

    Lakewood, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Lakewood outlaws portable fire pits, barbecues, grills and hibachis anywhere in a city park or recreation area. Section 4220(H) makes possessing one there a misdemeanor, drops to an infraction at an officer's discretion, and turns back into a misdemeanor if the same person repeats it within 24 hours.

14. 14

    Lewisville, TXHeavy Restrictions10 feet from structure or combustibles

    Lewisville bans recreational fires and bonfires outright: portable fire pits and backyard campfires are prohibited citywide. Only a permanently installed outdoor fire pit built at least 10 feet from any structure or combustible material is allowed.

15. 15

    Lowell, MAHeavy RestrictionsLowell Fire Prevention + City Gas/Plumbing Inspector

    Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces are prohibited in Lowell because open burning is banned at all times under 310 CMR 7.07(3)(e). The Lowell Fire Department does authorize propane- and natural-gas-fired fire pits if they meet 527 CMR 1.0 placement and safety requirements.

16. 16

    Marin County, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Residential fire pits and chimineas are generally allowed in unincorporated Marin under the California Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 16.16 MCC, but spark arrestors are required, recreational fires must follow CFC § 307 size and clearance rules, and all outdoor open flames are banned countywide during Red Flag Warnings.

17. 17

    Modesto, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Modesto bans backyard recreational fires outright (wood fire pits, chimineas, bonfires). Portable outdoor fireplaces (gas/propane appliances) are not categorically banned but remain subject to other city codes, and any fire that is allowed must be constantly attended with an extinguisher on hand.

18. 18

    Philadelphia, PAHeavy RestrictionsNot within 25 feet of a structure

    True backyard ground fires (recreational fires and bonfires) are not freely allowed in Philadelphia. The Air Management Code Section 3-202 prohibits open fires except outdoor cooking, and under Fire Code Section 307 a recreational fire or bonfire requires fire code official approval and must observe setbacks - 25 feet from a structure for a recreational fire and 50 feet for a bonfire. Most residents instead use a permitted manufactured patio fireplace under L&I Code Bulletin F-0602 R1.

19. 19

    Plano, TXHeavy RestrictionsFire dept., health dept., TX Air Quality Control Board

    Plano prohibits open burning citywide, with the only carve-out a permitted ceremonial campfire. There is no by-right allowance for backyard fire pits, brush burning, or recreational fires: the fire code's blanket ban applies to any structure or district.

20. 20

    San Bernardino County, CAHeavy RestrictionsSTR permit suspension for unresolved violations

    San Bernardino County bans solid fuel burning outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, barbeques and fire pits at short-term rentals in the Mountain Region under County Code § 84.28.070(j)(1). STR owners there also must keep the property free of hazardous conditions and keep spas and hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.

21. 21

    Santa Maria, CAHeavy Restrictions25 ft (open) / 3 ft (portable at 1-2 family)

    Backyard burning of leaves, weeds, grass clippings, shrubbery, and tree prunings is prohibited in Santa Maria by Santa Barbara County APCD. The only routine backyard fires allowed are CFC 307.4.2 recreational fires (3 ft x 2 ft, 25 ft setback) and CFC 307.4.3 portable outdoor fireplaces. The Fire Chief can stop any backyard fire that becomes a hazard or nuisance.

22. 22

    Albany, NYSignificant Restrictions

    Albany City Code § 197-5 requires any yard fire to sit inside a fireproof enclosure, stay at least 10 feet from any structure and 25 feet from a wood one, and be watched by an adult the entire time it burns.

23. 23

    Alexandria, VASignificant RestrictionsYes, from fire official under Sec. 307.2

    Alexandria requires a fire official's permit before anyone kindles an open fire, including a backyard fire pit or recreational bonfire. Fire Prevention Code Section 307.1, adopted at City Code Section 4-2-21, bans unapproved open burning outright, and Section 307.2 sets a $143 permit fee under Table 107.2. Only approved Alexandria Fire Department live-fire training is exempt.

24. 24

    Appleton, WISignificant Restrictions10 feet from buildings, fences, combustibles, property lines

    Recreational fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and open cooking fires in Appleton need a Fire Department permit unless the fire is fueled by natural gas, propane or charcoal in a commercially manufactured appliance. Permitted fires must sit at least 10 feet from any building, fence or property line.

25. 25

    Auburn, WASignificant RestrictionsAuburn fire chief or designee

    Auburn bans outdoor fires citywide except for religious or ceremonial fires, firefighting instruction, disease control, or bulky waste and vegetation disposal where no reasonable alternative exists, and every permitted fire needs a written permit from the fire chief. ACC 8.32.010 and 8.32.030 exempt ordinary domestic barbecues and outdoor cooking devices from that permit.

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