Blaze On Legally: San Diego Fire Pit Guide
Backyard fire pits are a popular way to extend the time you get to spend in outdoor living spaces in San Diego’s beautiful climate. Whether you have a traditional, minimalist, mid-century, Mediterranean cottage, or rustic backyard, it’s important to follow San Diego’s laws and regulations when adding a fire pit. Our San Diego, CA, landscape contractor, Jeff Wilson, created this guide to provide an overview of the rules for legal fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor fireplaces in San Diego.
What Are Legal Fire Pit Materials?
San Diego city code requires that any backyard fire pit, chiminea, or outdoor fireplace be constructed of non-combustible materials such as stone, brick, or metal. Fire pits may not be made from combustible materials like wood.
Permitted non-combustible materials to use for your fire pit include:
- Steel
- Iron
- Concrete
- Stone
- Brick
- Tile
Rules to Follow for Adding an Outdoor Fire Pit in San Diego
Required Permits
Most outdoor residential fire features under three feet wide don’t require a permit in San Diego. However, permanent backyard fire pit structures over three feet wide and under five feet wide do require a simple operational permit from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
Allowed Times of Use
Recreational fires are only permitted between the daytime hours of 6 am and 10 pm in San Diego. Fires must be completely extinguished by 10 pm and may not be re-lit until after 6 am the next day. As long as you follow the permitted time, there’s no limit on usage frequency.
Safety Tips
Fire can be dangerous if not handled correctly. Follow these safety tips when using your San Diego backyard fire pit:
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away
- Don’t burn treated wood, trash, or debris
- Have a hose, sand, or fire extinguisher nearby
- Supervise the fire at all times
- Completely extinguish the fire before leaving
Legal Fire Pit Placement
Position your fire pit at least 25 feet away from any building, fence, tree branches, or other combustible structure per San Diego fire codes. There should also be 15 feet of clearance above the fire.
Recommended Fire Pit Options
When it comes to adding an outdoor fire feature to your backyard, you have several options. Some of the most popular backyard fire pit options in San Diego include:
- Chimineas — Made from clay or metal, chimineas are a versatile and compliant option. Just be sure to place it on a non-combustible surface.
- Fire Bowls — Contained metal bowls on short legs are a safe choice. Go for solid metal construction.
- Fire Tables — Choose tables with contained fire pits and spark screens. Look for durable iron or steel models.
- Permanent Fire Pits — Constructed from stone, brick, concrete blocks, or other non-combustible materials. Be sure to get a permit if over three feet wide.
Must-Have Features for Your Fire Pit to Be Legal
To ensure that your backyard fire pit is legal, add the following features:
- Spark Screens: A mesh spark screen lid or cover is required to contain embers and sparks. This prevents the wind from scattering dangerous embers and is a must-have safety feature.
- Lid or Cover: A snug-fitting lid or cover for extinguishing the fire is mandatory. This allows you to safely suffocate the fire and prevent rekindling.
- Metal Construction: Choose solid metal fire bowls, chimineas, or fire tables made from steel or iron. Avoid porous materials like clay that may degrade over time.
- Non-Combustible Base: The ground beneath and around the fire pit should be gravel, concrete, stone, or dirt. Never place it on top of a wood deck or grass area.
- Fire Extinguishing Tools: Have easy access to a fire extinguisher, hose, bucket of sand, or other means to quickly extinguish the fire if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may only burn clean wood such as seasoned hardwood or manufactured fire logs. You can’t burn treated wood, paint, chemicals, or trash. Recommended woods are oak, maple, birch, ash, or eucalyptus logs that have been dried for six to 12 months. Avoid softwoods like pine or cedar that pop and emit sparks. Don’t use scrap or composite wood materials which can release toxic fumes.
Never use water to extinguish a fire in your pit as it can spread embers. Gently suffocate the fire with sand/soil or a lid. Let ashes completely cool before disposing.
You may apply for a waiver or variance if your property does not reasonably allow the required clearances or other fire code regulations. For example, an exception request could be made if the 25-foot structure clearance is impossible due to property size limitations. Any exceptions granted would likely involve additional safety requirements or restrictions to compensate for increased risk.
Fines start at $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second violation, and $500 for a third violation within a year. Fires that threaten safety can result in higher fines up to $1,000 per incident. Code violations resulting in injury, or property damage, or that require Fire Department response can face fines of $2,500 or more. Multiple violations may also result in backyard fire privileges being rescinded or requiring the removal of the fire feature.
Enjoy a Backyard Fire Pit Legally From Wilson Woodscape
Following San Diego’s backyard fire pit laws and regulations will allow you to safely and legally enjoy a backyard fire feature. Let this guide help you make the right fire pit choices for your home and yard.
Contact Wilson Woodscape today at (619) 838-1398 to get started on creating your custom fire pit with Jeff Wilson. You can request an appointment online and we’ll get back to you.
