Can you imagine anything more cozy than sitting beside a crackling, warm flame while enjoying a cold beverage? Me neither!
But hold that thought before you start rummaging for your DIY tools and building one. Do you know what you need to make a fire pit?
In that case, let me walk you through everything you need to know about making fire pits—from legal to materials and space requirements. Take a look!
1 – Fire Pit Permit
In most cases, you won’t need to acquire a burning permit for building a fire pit in your yard. However, some states, counties, and cities may require it for safety and health concerns.
State Policies
Authorities don’t demand a permit for recreational fires in Ohio, Texas, Colorado, and Florida. But they do enforce guidelines when building a fire pit.
Ohio, for instance, mandates an open-burning ban during wildfire seasons in the fall and spring. During this period, they prohibit outdoor activities involving fire and flammables like a fire pit.
New Jersey and Hawaii are examples of states that explicitly ban constructing fire pits without a permit. You also have to meet specific criteria and pass evaluations to receive one.
City Policies
Aside from state-wide laws, your city government or neighborhood may also have different regulations for recreational fires.
Here’s an example:
In New York City, government policies label fire pits, patio hearths, and bonfires as open flames. They’re strictly illegal within the city limits and could result in fines or criminal convictions.
While more lenient than NYC, Houston City also offers a rigorous guideline. They only allow these fiery activities after a Fire Marshal evaluates, approves, and issues a homeowner permit.
Nonetheless, most towns and cities do categorize fire pits under recreational purposes. But if you live in these areas, I’d recommend coordinating with your local authorities before constructing one.
2 – Open Space
Apart from a permit, ensure you have enough space for a fire pit. You’ll need to consider your home’s surroundings on this one.
Safety Consideration
You’ll want your grill away from buildings and combustible materials like storehouses and fences. Stay away from windows (your or your neighbor’s), cars, fan intakes, and air conditioning units.
If your backyard has trees, place your grill far from low-hanging branches. You may also consult your neighborhood’s owners association for inspection and placement advice.
Placement aside, think about the size of your fire pit. Naturally, giant fire pits necessitate more expansive spaces for optimal safety for yourself and your property.
Spacing Regulations
States, cities, and towns typically have varying spacing regulations you can follow. But generally, traditional wood-burning pits should have at least a 10 to 25-foot safety radius.
In contrast, gas-fueled grills demand less space of at least 3 feet zone.
Some states also limit the size of grills built in residential areas. In Utah and California, for example, safety guidelines only allow a maximum pile size of 2 feet high and 3 feet wide.
These rules apply to both permanent and temporary fire pit structures.
3 – Build Materials
Permit and space ready? It’s time to gather your materials.
First, you’ll need a 1/4-inch drainage gravel as your base. Unlike cement or compact soil, gravel helps drain and prevent puddles from forming around your grill.
You’ll also want a metal fire ring insert. This contraption fits inside the edge of your fire pit’s wall and provides additional insulation.
As for the wall, there are many DIY options to choose from. Depending on your preference, you can pick classic materials like stones and concrete or opt for the modern metal aesthetic.
Concrete
Concrete blocks are an affordable option as a fire pit material. They’re durable, long-lasting, and don’t require as much maintenance.
Aside from its remarkable durability, concrete offers a sleek look and comes in various stylistic shapes and sizes. The only downside to concrete is that it is difficult to move due to its weight.
Natural Stone
If you want a timeless aesthetic, natural stone is for you. Some examples of natural rocks include limestone, sandstone, and granite.
Natural stone fire pits offer a classy touch to fit any garden. They’re durable, too, and can withstand exposure to constant high temperatures.
Brick
Brick is another timeless and classy fire pit material. You can get creative with brick and design a grill to match your home’s style.
Structures made from bricks are virtually maintenance-free. They’re almost effortless to work on, even for someone with little to no experience with bricklaying.
Flagstone
Flagstones are sedimentary rocks ideal for fire pits because of their thin and flat build. They’re incredibly rigid and capable of surviving extreme outdoor weather.
You can arrange flagstones however you want. Arrange them like puzzle pieces, add a few chairs around, ignite a flame, and enjoy the warmth—easy peasy!
Metal
Of course, you can always opt for the less hassle route: metal fire pits. They’re easy to use as you don’t have to build them from scratch.
There are plenty of brands that offer attractive designs. Some also come with convenient features, such as smoke and flame controls.
4 – Fire Pit Fuel
Lastly, you’ll have to decide on the fuel you want for your grill. Here’s a quick overview of the best fire pit fuels and their advantages:
Aged Wood
Aged or seasoned wood is a classic and traditional fuel for pits. We call them seasoned wood as they’re left to dry out for months more than your typical firewood.
This type of fuel burns hotter than its gas alternative. It also burns longer than unseasoned wood, making it an excellent heat source on cold winter nights.
Wood fuel is relatively affordable and effortless to source, too. You can buy them in bulk from suppliers or make them yourself to save some bucks.
One downside to aged wood is that it can be messy. They leave more residues, including ashes and embers, you’ll need to clean up after a night’s party.
Here’s a pro tip:
Avoid using green wood for your fire pit. This type of wood doesn’t burn as hot as aged wood, and because it contains more water, it releases more pesky smoke.
Liquid Propane
Propane is another popular choice for fire pit fuel. It comes in convenient and familiar gas tanks we usually see under barbeque grills.
While it produces less heat than aged wood, propane does offer many upsides.
For one, propane is a clean-burning fuel. It contains minimal carbon content, reducing CO2 production and minimizing harmful environmental effects.
Additionally, propane gas is effortless to operate. There are no ashes to clean or embers to douse, making it an incredible alternative to wood.
The only complaint people have with propane is its safety hazard. Due to the gas’ flammability, you should always follow careful storage procedures.
Natural Gas
Like propane, natural gas is an odorless and effort-free fuel for fire pits.
Natural gas is cheaper than propane in the long run. Depending on your address, natural gas can cost one-sixth of liquid propane’s price!
Second, it’s a lot more hassle-free than wood or propane combined. You won’t need to refill and replace tanks every other day. So, no more last-minute store trips!
The drawback of natural gas is that it requires a natural gas line. It’s also a fossil fuel, so it’s not the most environmentally friendly choice.
DIY Backyard Fire Pit Accessories
Want to make the best out of your grill? Here are some essential accessories you should invest in to boost your fire pit experience:
- Fire Pit Cover: A fire pit cover protects your grill when not in use. It lessens damage from harsh weather, saving you time and money.
- Wind Guard: A wind guard protects the flames from outside drafts. It makes your fire stable and reduces fuel consumption.
- Spark Screen: A spark screen is a mesh that goes over the grill. It keeps embers and sparks inside and shields you and your property from accidental fires.
- Fire Pit Grate: A fire pit grate is an accessory for outdoor pits. It enhances burn consistency and simplifies ash cleanup.
Final Thoughts
One of the best ways to spend a chilly night is in front of a glowing flame. Just you, basking in the warmth and unwinding from a stressful day at work.
But if you’re new to fire pits, you might wonder what you need to build one. After all, on top of the legal issues surrounding fire pits, there are some practical considerations to think about.
So, you’re unsure where to begin? Follow this checklist to kickstart your DIY fire pit project!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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