Colorado Springs Fire Pit Rules: Wood, Gas and Propane

What the City Code Says

Colorado Springs adopts the 2021 International Fire Code with its own amendments as the Fire Prevention Code. Colorado sets no statewide fire pit distance, so inside the city limits this is the rule.

Adopts "the International Fire Code, 2021 Edition of the International Code Council." Section 307.4.2 is not amended: "Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material."

A recreational fire is 3 ft or less across and 2 ft or less high and not contained in a fireplace, grill or barbecue pit. The code defines a portable outdoor fireplace as a solid-fuel fireplace, and the city narrows the model code's exception for one- and two-family homes.

Portable outdoor fireplaces stay 15 feet from "a structure or combustible material." Occupants of one- and two-family dwellings "Shall NOT operate a portable outdoor fireplace within 15 feet of a neighboring structure or combustible material, including but not limited to a tree, bush, or common fence."

The Fire Marshal's Administrative Ruling 2020-1R reads that exception as no minimum distance from your own structure, with the fireplace run to the manufacturer's instructions. Townhouses of three or more attached units do not qualify.

The Fire Department's Outdoor Burning Guidelines and Burn Restrictions pages look contradictory, but mostly they describe three cases: 25 ft for a fire not contained in a fireplace or appliance, 15 ft from a neighbor's structure for one that is, and no minimum from your own structure at a single-family home. The code above governs. The web pages are undated guidance.

Burn Bans and No-Burn Days

The Fire Marshal issues a burn restriction or a burn ban by order, and each is a new order. We do not state current status, so check the Fire Department home page before you light anything.

The fire code official "is authorized to issue a burn restriction or burn ban order as deemed necessary" when local conditions make fires hazardous. A spark arrestor is required "during high or greater fire danger days and during burn restrictions for all solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, or pellets, for recreational fires, and all outdoor fireplaces."

Burn restriction (Order 2026-R1, worded the same in Order 2024-R1):

Outdoor fireplaces and appliances in developed areas "Shall ONLY be fueled by wood, pellets, charcoal, liquid propane gas (LPG), natural gas, or liquid fuel" and "Shall maintain a minimum clearance of 15' between the fireplace or appliance and all combustible structures, fences, and/or vegetation." Permanent units installed to the adopted mechanical code have no clearance requirement.

That order has no single-family exception and no word "neighboring," while the department's Burn Restrictions guide keeps both. The code governs, an order issued under 307.1.2 adds limits while in force, and the guides are guidance. Ask the Fire Marshal how an order applies to your yard.

Burn ban (Order 2026-B1):

Prohibited: "Portable or fixed outdoor fireplaces FUELED BY SOLID MATERIALS such as wood, pellets, or charcoal." Allowed: portable or fixed fire appliances for outdoor use that "Shall ONLY be fueled by liquid propane gas (LPG), natural gas, or liquid fuel," kept 15 ft from all combustible structures, fences and vegetation, with the same exception for permanent units.

The department's Burn Ban Quick Guide (updated August 2025) allows the same gas appliances but states no clearance.

In unincorporated El Paso County, the Sheriff sets Stage I and Stage II restrictions:

Both stages permit fires at private residences "contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fire pits or appliances; liquid propane (LPG), or natural gas; cleared at least 3 feet of all flammable materials, with flames lengths not exceeding 2 feet." Stage II also requires a switch, valve or tip-over shutoff.

Gas and Propane

The adopted fireplace rule is written for solid fuel, and we found no code section that sets a fixed distance for a listed gas fire feature. The department's guides apply the 15 ft neighbor rule to any fire contained in a "portable or fixed fireplace/appliance," and the 2026 orders quoted above set 15 ft from all combustible structures, fences and vegetation. Planning to that 15 ft meets every city reading we found. That is your choice for the layout, not a code requirement. Your listing and manual set the rest: run your model through the clearance checker.

Permanently fixed-in-place outdoor decorative appliances shall be listed in accordance with ANSI Z21.97 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

The statewide Colorado Fuel Gas Code adopts the 2024 edition, and its §635.1 reads the same.

"A permit is also required to install, replace, or repair any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by this Code." The code exempts "Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances" from the gas permit.

The code names no fire pit or table, so ask the department whether a portable propane unit is exempt. Hire a licensed mechanical contractor for any new gas line.

Permits and Who to Call

• Wood recreational fire: no city permit under amended 105.5.34, and El Paso County Public Health lists recreational fires as exempt from its open burning permit. A bonfire, larger than 3 ft across and 2 ft high, needs a permit from the Division of the Fire Marshal.
• Portable gas or propane unit: we found no city fire permit. The city's LP-gas permit starts above 125 gallons of water capacity (amended 105.5.29).
• Built-in gas feature: a Pikes Peak Regional Building Department permit for the gas line, with the work done by a licensed mechanical contractor.
• A variance: the Fire Board of Appeals hears requests for variances to the Fire Prevention Code.

The Division of the Fire Marshal is at (719) 385-5978, per the Fire Code Resources page. Rules vary by address, and the Fire Marshal's reading governs.