The short answer on fire pit distance from house walls: plan on 25 feet for a wood fire in a ground or built in pit, 15 feet for a portable wood burning fire pit (the code exempts one and two family homes from that one), and whatever the manual says for a gas fire table, often 4 feet to the sides with clear space overhead. The first two numbers come from International Fire Code Section 307, which many cities adopt. Your city can change them, and your local fire marshal has the final word.
For seating rings and pad sizes, see our fire pit size guide. If your patio is a deck, read can you put a fire pit on a wood deck first.
What the fire code says about fire pit distance from house walls
The West Metro Fire Protection District in Colorado quotes the IFC 307 text on its recreational fire regulations page:
- Recreational fires (307.4.2): not within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. This covers an uncontained wood fire up to 3 feet across and 2 feet high, such as a dug pit or block ring.
- Portable outdoor fireplaces (307.4.3): used per the manufacturer’s instructions and not within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. These are portable, solid fuel burning units of steel, concrete, clay or similar, so a freestanding steel wood pit fits.
- The exception: the 15 foot rule does not apply at one and two family dwellings. West Metro notes that includes townhomes.
Not every town keeps that exception. The Village of Wheeling, Illinois, requires portable manufactured fire pits to sit at least 15 feet from all structures, including buildings, decks and fences, on its fire pit requirements page. Aurora Fire Rescue’s fire pit bulletin lists the 15 and 25 foot rules with no exception mentioned.
Wood burning vs gas fire pit clearance
IFC 307 is written around solid fuel, so a propane or natural gas fire table usually follows its own manual and local gas and building codes instead.
Wood pit makers differ too. Ohio Flame’s FAQ and safety notes say its fire pits should not be placed less than 10 feet from walls, structures or buildings. A Solo Stove blog post on common questions says to keep the pit at least six feet from buildings. Where the code applies, the larger code number wins.
Fire pit setback rules by situation
Every number below comes from the source in that row. Use the strictest one that applies.
| Situation | Wood burning | Gas | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| House wall, ground or built in wood fire | 25 ft | Not covered | IFC 307.4.2 via West Metro and Aurora |
| House wall, portable wood fire pit | 15 ft (exception for one and two family homes) | Not covered | IFC 307.4.3 via West Metro |
| House wall, manufacturer figure | 10 ft (Ohio Flame); 6 ft (Solo Stove) | 4 ft to sides (Prism Hardscapes); 48 in around (Camplux) | Ohio Flame FAQ; Solo Stove blog; Prism and Camplux manuals |
| Eaves and overhangs | Not under any overhead (Ohio Flame) | 6 ft above (Prism); 60 in above (Camplux); 72 in from burner top (EcoSmart Fire) | Ohio Flame FAQ; Prism, Camplux and EcoSmart Fire manuals |
| Trees and branches overhead | 15 to 20 ft clear above (Solo Stove); not near or under overhanging trees (Ohio Flame) | 78.7 in from the flame (EcoSmart Fire) | Solo Stove blog; Ohio Flame FAQ; EcoSmart Fire manual |
| Property line | 25 ft for ground fires (Orange Beach, AL); 6 ft side and rear (Wheeling, IL) | 6 ft side and rear (Wheeling, IL) | City pages |
| Fences, sheds, decks | 15 ft portable, 25 ft permanent (Wheeling, IL) | Use the manual’s side clearance | Wheeling, IL; manuals |
| External propane tank | Not applicable | At least 5 ft from the unit when lit (Camplux) | Camplux FP19CR manual |
Check the measuring point: the EcoSmart Fire pit kit manual measures from the edge of the flame, while the Prism Rotondo installation guide gives clearance to combustible surfaces from the unit.
Property lines, fences and sheds
Zoning setbacks are separate from fire code. Wheeling treats a fire pit as an accessory structure: 6 feet from side and rear lines, 10 feet from the house, 25 feet from the street side on corner lots, and nothing in easements. Permanent pits there need plans, a gas line diagram if gas, and inspections. Orange Beach, Alabama, sets 25 feet from any structure, combustible material or property line for ground fires in its fire pit handout.
Overhangs, pergolas and covered patios
Heat rises into eaves, gutters and pergola slats. Ohio Flame says not to use its pits under any overhead; gas manuals ask for 60 inches to 6 feet. The Prism guide also warns the appliance may produce carbon monoxide in an enclosed space. Our deck guide covers what table manuals say about roofs.
Gas lines and propane tank placement
If the tank sits outside the table, the Camplux FP19CR manual says to keep it at least 5 feet from the lit unit and keep the hose out of walkways. For natural gas, Prism’s guide says a gas professional runs the line underground to a 1/2 inch shutoff valve, following local codes and the National Fuel Gas Code. A licensed gas pro and your local code have the final word.
How to find your local rule
- Ask the fire marshal which IFC edition applies and whether the one and two family exception is kept.
- Ask zoning about accessory structure setbacks and permits for built in or gas pits, then check HOA rules and your lease.
- Check burn bans before every wood fire; Aurora notes burning can be prohibited on Red Flag days.
- Keep an extinguisher, hose or sand on hand; IFC 307.5 requires the fire be attended.
Fire pits with published specs from our catalog
Prices are as listed at the time of writing.
| Product | Fuel | Size | BTU | Clearance info | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohioflame Patriot Fire Pit | Wood | 24 to 48 in | Not listed | 10 ft per Ohio Flame FAQ | $1,028.40 |
| YardCraft The Forge Smokeless Fire Pit | Wood | Almost 30 in inside | Not listed | Not listed | $995.00 |
| Sunstone StarBBQ 24 Inch Smokeless Fire Pit Grill | Wood or charcoal | 24 in | Not listed | Not listed | $1,071.00 |
| Patio Resorts 48 in Windsor Round Fire Table | Propane, tank inside | 48 x 48 x 25 in | 56,000 | Not listed | $2,177.17 |
| Patio Resorts Bermuda 48 in Round Fire Table | Propane, tank inside | 48 x 48 x 25 in | 56,000 | Not listed | $2,036.83 |
| Prism Hardscapes Rotondo 48 in Propane | Propane | 48 in x 18 in high | 65,000 | 4 ft sides, 6 ft top | $3,456.00 |
| Prism Hardscapes Pebble 56 in Propane | Propane | 38 x 56 x 16 in | 65,000 | 4 ft sides, 6 ft top | $2,954.00 |
| Direct Wicker Gray 40,000 BTU Gas Fire Pit Set | Propane | 42 x 24.4 x 14.5 in | 40,000 | Not listed | $599.00 |
The Patriot listing describes five sizes at one price, so call to confirm which size that covers. The Direct Wicker set uses a separate tank holder, so plan the hose route. See more steel pits on our Ohioflame brand page, or compare fuels in the fire pit buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much fire pit clearance do I need from my house?
Under IFC 307, 25 feet for a recreational wood fire and 15 feet for a portable wood pit, with an exception for one and two family homes. Gas tables follow their manuals, such as 4 feet to the sides for Prism Hardscapes.
What are typical fire pit setback rules from a property line?
They vary. Wheeling, Illinois, requires 6 feet from side and rear lines; Orange Beach, Alabama, requires 25 feet for ground fires.
Can a fire pit go under a covered patio?
Not a wood pit, per Ohio Flame. Gas units list overhead clearances of 60 inches to 6 feet in the manuals we read, and they warn against enclosed spaces.
Do gas fire pits need the same distance as wood?
Usually not. IFC 307 covers solid fuel; gas units follow their manual and local gas codes, with a licensed pro on any line.
Want help matching a fire pit to your yard? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and orders below that ship for a flat $200. See our return and refund policy before you order.
