Are Fire Pits Legal in Your State? A 2025 Guide to Fire Pit Laws in All 50 U.S. States

May 19, 2025

Wondering, "Are fire pits legal in your state?" Fire pit regulations vary across the U.S. due to safety and air quality concerns. Our 2025 guide covers fire pit laws for all 50 states, with tips to ensure safe, legal backyard fire pit use. Be sure to also check out our Favorite Fire Pits tab for top picks. Always check local ordinances and burn bans before use.

Why Fire Pit Laws Matter

Fire pit laws protect communities from wildfire risks and air pollution. Regulations often specify fire size, distance from structures, and fuel types.

Note: Fire pit laws and regulations vary by state and locality. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official government website linked in your state’s section below, or contact your local city or county office directly.

Alabama

Are Fire Pits Legal in Alabama?

Fire pit laws in Alabama allow recreational fires, but local ordinances may require permits. Keep pits 25 ft from structures, use dry wood, and avoid burning during drought or Red Flag warnings. Check city rules for compliance.

https://www.alabama.gov

Alaska

Are Fire Pits Legal in Alaska?

Fire pit regulations in Alaska permit fires under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high. Local rules vary, so check for burn bans, especially in dry seasons. Keep pits 15 ft from buildings and use seasoned wood for safe use.

https://www.alaska.gov

Arizona

Are Fire Pits Legal in Arizona?

Arizona fire pit laws allow fires, but Maricopa County restricts burning May–September. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Avoid burn bans and use dry wood or gas fire pits to comply.

https://az.gov

Arkansas

Are Fire Pits Legal in Arkansas?

Fire pit rules in Arkansas allow recreational fires, but permits may be needed locally. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high, 25 ft from structures. Avoid burning during air quality alerts or drought bans.

https://.arkansas.gov

California

Are Fire Pits Legal in California?

California fire pit regulations are strict. Keep pits 10–25 ft from structures; permits may be needed in Los Angeles. Gas fire pits are often exempt from No Burn Days. Check local rules via CA Fire Marshal.

Colorado

Are Fire Pits Legal in Colorado?

Fire pit laws in Colorado allow fires unless under Stage 1 bans, like in Aurora. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high, 10–25 ft from combustibles. Gas pits may not need permits. Check local rules.

https://www.colorado.gov

Connecticut

Are Fire Pits Legal in Connecticut?

Connecticut fire pit rules permit fires, but local ordinances vary. Keep fires 25 ft from buildings, under 3 ft wide. Use seasoned wood and check for burn bans to avoid fines.

https://portal.ct.gov

Delaware

Are Fire Pits Legal in Delaware?

Delaware fire pit laws allow fires, but permits may be needed locally. Keep pits 15 ft from structures, use dry wood, and avoid burning during poor air quality. Check DE Fire Marshal.

https://delaware.gov

Florida

Are Fire Pits Legal in Florida?

Florida fire pit regulations allow recreational fires without state permits. Local rules may require 25 ft clearance from structures. Use dry wood and avoid burn bans, especially in dry seasons

https://www.myflorida.gov

Georgia

Are Fire Pits Legal in Georgia?

Georgia fire pit laws allow fires, but Gwinnett County restricts burning May–September. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 10–25 ft from buildings. Check local burn bans and use dry wood.

https://georgia.gov

Hawaii

Are Fire Pits Legal in Hawaii?

Hawaii fire pit rules require permits in some counties. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Burn bans are common in dry seasons. Check local regulations for compliance.

https://portal.ehawaii.gov

Idaho

Are Fire Pits Legal in Idaho?

Idaho fire pit regulations allow fires, but permits may be needed. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high, 25 ft from combustibles. Avoid burning during wildfire season. Check local rules.

https://www.idaho.gov

Illinois

Are Fire Pits Legal in Illinois?

Illinois fire pit laws permit fires with dry, seasoned wood. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Local permits may be needed. Check air quality alerts via IL EPA.

https://www.illinois.gov

Indiana

Are Fire Pits Legal in Indiana?

Indiana fire pit rules allow fires, but local ordinances vary. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Use dry wood and check for burn bans to ensure compliance.

https://www.in.gov

Iowa

Are Fire Pits Legal in Iowa?

Iowa fire pit regulations allow fires, but cities like Waukee limit fires to 3 ft wide, 2 ft high, 25 ft from structures. Check for burn bans and permits to comply with local rules.

https://www.iowa.gov

Kansas

Are Fire Pits Legal in Kansas?

Kansas fire pit laws permit fires, but local rules may require permits. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 25 ft from buildings. Avoid burning during high winds or bans for safety.

https://www.kansas.gov

Kentucky

Are Fire Pits Legal in Kentucky?

Kentucky fire pit laws allow fires, but keep them 150 ft from woodlands during fire season (6 am–6 pm). Use natural wood, 25 ft from structures. Check local bans.

https://kentucky.gov

Louisiana

Are Fire Pits Legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana fire pit regulations allow fires, but permits may be needed locally. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 25 ft from structures. Avoid burn bans in dry seasons for compliance.

https://www.louisiana.gov

Maine

Are Fire Pits Legal in Maine?

Maine fire pit rules allow fires, but permits are often required. Keep fires under 3 ft wide, 25 ft from buildings. Check wildfire bans via ME Forest Service.

https://www.maine.gov

Maryland

Are Fire Pits Legal in Maryland?

Maryland fire pit laws permit fires in steel, brick, or masonry pits, 25 ft from structures. Use natural wood and check for burn bans to comply with air quality rules.

https://www.maryland.gov

Massachusetts

Are Fire Pits Legal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts fire pit regulations often require permits. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Use dry wood and check local rules via MA Fire Marshal.

https://www.mass.gov

Michigan

Are Fire Pits Legal in Michigan?

Michigan fire pit laws allow fires unless banned by the DNR. In Detroit, keep fires 10 ft from combustibles, under 3 ft wide. Check local rules via MI DNR.

https://www.michigan.gov

Minnesota

Are Fire Pits Legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota fire pit rules allow fires, but local ordinances vary. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://mn.gov

Mississippi

Are Fire Pits Legal in Mississippi?

Mississippi fire pit laws allow fires, but local ordinances may require permits. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans.

https://www.ms.gov

Missouri

Are Fire Pits Legal in Missouri?

Missouri fire pit regulations allow fires, but cities may require 25 ft clearance from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check local bans and use dry wood.

https://www.mo.gov

Montana

Are Fire Pits Legal in Montana?

Montana fire pit laws allow fires, but wildfire risks prompt strict rules. Keep fires 25 ft from combustibles, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans via MT DNRC.

https://www.mt.gov

Nebraska

Are Fire Pits Legal in Nebraska?

Nebraska fire pit rules allow fires, but permits may be needed locally. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans to comply.

https://www.nebraska.gov

Nevada

Are Fire Pits Legal in Nevada?

Nevada fire pit regulations allow fires, but dry conditions trigger burn bans. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Gas pits are often exempt. Check local rules.

https://nv.gov

New Hampshire

Are Fire Pits Legal in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire fire pit laws allow fires with permits in some areas. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check wildfire bans for compliance.

https://www.nh.gov

New Jersey

Are Fire Pits Legal in New Jersey?

New Jersey fire pit regulations often require permits. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Use dry wood and check bans via NJ DEP.

https://www.nj.gov

New Mexico

Are Fire Pits Legal in New Mexico?

New Mexico fire pit laws allow fires, but dry seasons trigger burn bans. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Gas pits are often exempt. Check local rules.

https://www.newmexico.gov

New York

Are Fire Pits Legal in New York?

New York fire pit regulations allow fires outside NYC, where they’re illegal. Keep fires 15 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check local rules via NY DEC.

https://www.ny.gov

North Carolina

Are Fire Pits Legal in North Carolina?

North Carolina fire pit laws allow fires, but local rules vary. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://www.nc.gov

North Dakota

Are Fire Pits Legal in North Dakota?

North Dakota fire pit rules allow fires, but permits may be needed. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans to comply.

https://www.nd.gov

Ohio

Are Fire Pits Legal in Ohio?

Ohio fire pit laws allow fires without state permits, but local rules apply. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://ohio.gov

Oklahoma

Are Fire Pits Legal in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma fire pit regulations allow fires, but local rules may require 25 ft clearance from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://oklahoma.gov

Oregon

Are Fire Pits Legal in Oregon?

Oregon fire pit laws allow fires, but wildfire risks prompt strict rules. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check bans via OR Forestry.

https://www.oregon.gov

Pennsylvania

Are Fire Pits Legal in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania fire pit rules allow fires, but Philadelphia requires screened pits 15 ft from structures. Check local rules and burn bans via PA DCNR.

https://www.pa.gov

Rhode Island

Are Fire Pits Legal in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island fire pit laws allow fires, but permits may be needed. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans to comply.

https://www.ri.gov

South Carolina

Are Fire Pits Legal in South Carolina?

South Carolina fire pit regulations allow fires, but local rules vary. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://www.sc.gov

South Dakota

Are Fire Pits Legal in South Dakota?

South Dakota fire pit laws allow fires, but permits may be needed. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans to comply.

https://sd.gov

Tennessee

Are Fire Pits Legal in Tennessee?

Tennessee fire pit rules allow fires, but local ordinances may require 25 ft clearance from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans.

https://www.tn.gov

Texas

Are Fire Pits Legal in Texas?

Texas fire pit laws allow fires without state permits, but local rules in Austin may apply. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans.

https://www.texas.gov

Utah

Are Fire Pits Legal in Utah?

Utah fire pit regulations allow fires under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high, 25 ft from structures. Check air quality bans via UT DEQ.

https://www.utah.gov

Vermont

Are Fire Pits Legal in Vermont?

Vermont fire pit laws allow fires, but permits may be needed. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check wildfire bans for compliance.

https://www.vermont.gov

Virginia

Are Fire Pits Legal in Virginia?

Virginia fire pit rules allow fires, but local ordinances may require permits. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check for burn bans.

https://www.virginia.gov

Washington

Are Fire Pits Legal in Washington?

Washington fire pit laws allow fires, but wildfire risks prompt strict rules. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check bans via WA DNR.

https://www.wa.gov

West Virginia

Are Fire Pits Legal in West Virginia?

West Virginia fire pit regulations allow fires, but local rules vary. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://www.wv.gov

Wisconsin

Are Fire Pits Legal in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin fire pit laws allow fires, but local rules may require 25 ft clearance from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check burn bans for compliance.

https://www.wisconsin.gov

Wyoming

Are Fire Pits Legal in Wyoming?

Wyoming fire pit regulations allow fires, but dry seasons trigger burn bans. Keep fires 25 ft from structures, under 3 ft wide. Check local rules.

https://www.wyo.gov

FAQ: Common Fire Pit Questions

What is a recreational fire?
A recreational fire is a small outdoor fire (typically under 3 ft wide, 2 ft high) for warmth or ambiance, using dry wood or gas. Check local size limits.

Are gas fire pits exempt from bans?
In many states, gas fire pits may be exempt from burn bans due to lower emissions. Verify with local authorities.

How do I check local burn bans?
Visit your state’s fire marshal or forestry website or contact your city for current restrictions.

Stay Safe and Compliant

For legal fire pit use, verify local ordinances, as rules vary by county or city. Use dry wood or gas fire pits, keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and never leave fires unattended. Stay updated via state fire marshal websites.