San Diego Outdoor Fireplace & Fire Pit Rules (2025): Permits, Clearances, Gas vs. Wood, HOA & Coastal
Updated August 2025 — San Diego County
Written by:
Luke W., Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT
Luxury Landscape Design & Build Expert • 16+ Years in San Diego
Reviewed by:
Chris MacMillan, General Manager
ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643
Last reviewed: August 2025 • About our process
6,000+ 5-star reviews since 2009 • Fully licensed & insured in California
Planning an outdoor fireplace or gas fire pit in San Diego? Below is the inspector-friendly path for permits, fire-department clearances, WUI/FHSZ (2025 maps), gas vs. wood, under-pergola use, costs, timelines, and a quote checklist—so your project glides through approvals and performs safely.
Fireplace + Fire Pit Design
TL;DR — 2025 San Diego Rules in Short
- Permits: Building Permit for masonry fireplaces and most wood-burning prefab units. Many gas-only decorative fire pits don’t need a Building Permit but still require Plumbing/Gas (and Electrical if igniter/lighting).
- Clearances: City Fire-Rescue calls for 25 ft to structures for small open recreational fires; approved containers/portable outdoor fireplaces generally 15 ft from structures/combustibles — always follow the listing.
- WUI / FHSZ: The City’s updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map is effective Aug 30, 2025. In Very High zones, favor gas, non-combustible surrounds, and ember-smart siting.
- Air Quality: The County air district does not currently ban home fireplace/fire pit use; nuisance smoke can still be cited. Gas is always the cleanest option.
Map My Gas & Electrical Routes
Do-This-First (San Diego City/County)
- Locate overlays: Check if your lot is in Very High FHSZ, Coastal, Historic, or ESL/hillside.
- Pick the appliance early: Choose a listed gas unit or prefab fireplace and gather the manufacturer’s installation & clearance specs.
- Lay out clearances: Verify 25 ft/15 ft fire-department minimums and any vertical/side clearances under pergolas.
- Confirm utilities: Gas meter capacity, pipe sizing/length, shutoff location; plan trench routes and sleeves.
- Decide permit path: Building (masonry/prefab wood) vs. trade permits (gas/electrical) for gas-only decorative pits.
- HOA & neighbors: Prepare the board packet; plan for wind direction and smoke courtesy (especially with wood-burning).
Permits — City of San Diego
| Scope | Likely Permits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry outdoor fireplace (site-built CMU/masonry with chimney) | Building Permit + trades as needed | Plan set, footing/rebar, chimney/venting, inspections. |
| Listed prefab wood-burning fireplace (installed outdoors) | Building Permit per listing + trades | Anchor per listing; vent/chimney; clearances per cut sheet. |
| Built-in gas fire pit (decorative, no wood) | Plumbing/Gas Permit (and Electrical if igniter/lighting) | Often no Building Permit if strictly gas decorative; we verify listing/scope. |
| Portable gas unit (listed appliance, on patio) | No Building Permit; trade permits if hard-piped gas/electrical | Use per listing; maintain SDFD clearances & ventilation. |
| Add/extend gas line to patio | Plumbing/Gas Permit (Simple No-Plan or Plan, scope-dependent) | Pressure test, bury depth per code, shutoff location, tracer wire if PE. |
Zoning/setback note (City of San Diego): Fireplace enclosures have special yard encroachment allowances; minimum 2′-6″ to property line with other limits. We verify per zone and façade during design.
Confirm My Permit Path →
Fire-Department Clearances & Siting
| Condition | Minimums (typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open recreational fire (≤3′ dia. x 2′ tall) | 25 ft from structures | Eliminate spread conditions; keep an extinguishing method on hand. |
| Approved container / portable outdoor fireplace | 15 ft from structures/combustibles | Operate per manufacturer instructions; avoid eaves/vegetation. |
| Under roofs/pergolas/eaves | Only if the specific model is listed for covered use | Respect vertical/side clearances and ventilation per cut sheet. |
| WUI / Very High Fire Hazard zones | Prefer gas; maximize non-combustible envelope | Mind wind, vegetation, and ember travel; verify current FHSZ layer. |
Check If My Lot Is in a Fire Hazard Zone
Gas vs. Wood (San Diego Considerations)
- Gas (NG/LP): Cleaner and simpler approvals; controllable output; allowed during air advisories. Ideal near kitchens/pergolas when listed clearances are met.
- Wood: Allowed for home fireplaces/fire pits in San Diego County (2025), but follow clearances and good-neighbor practices. Use seasoned dry wood; manage embers, especially in WUI.
- Hybrid: Gas log-lighters in masonry pits speed ignition but the fire is still “wood-burning” once logs are added; permit path follows the assembly/listing.
Design My Gas Fire Pit →
Can I Put a Fire Feature Under a Pergola or Louvered Roof?
- Only if the exact model is listed for covered installations and all vertical/side clearances and ventilation requirements are met.
- Prefer gas units with deflectors/hoods intended for overhead applications; provide make-up air/vent paths at the perimeter.
- Use non-combustible finishes (masonry/porcelain/cast concrete). Keep drapes/screens/umbrellas/furniture outside the listed envelope.
- We coordinate appliance specs with pergola structure, louver orientation, nearby hoods/vents, and wind exposure.
Permit Submittal Package (What We Include)
| For | Sheets & Docs |
|---|---|
| Building Permit (masonry or prefab wood-burning fireplaces) | Site plan (setbacks, easements, overlays); plan/elevations/sections; footing & reinforcement; chimney/vent path; anchorage; non-combustible finishes; appliance cut sheets/listings; fireplace enclosure encroachment note; inspection sequence. |
| Trade Permits (gas/electrical for gas-only fire pits & igniters) | Gas isometric (meter capacity, demand, lengths, pipe sizing/material); trench notes (burial depth per code; tracer wire if PE); shutoff/valve location; appliance BTU/ignition; electrical one-line (if required); manufacturer cut sheets; pressure test note; inspection checklist. |
Constraints & Overlays (Design Early, Avoid Delays)
- Setbacks/easements: Fireplace enclosures have special yard rules; property line verification is critical.
- WUI/FHSZ: Very High zones (new 2025 maps) lean to gas, ember-aware placement, non-combustible envelopes.
- Coastal Overlay: Some sites require Coastal review/permits; HOA locations within the Appealable Area often need extra lead time.
- Historic/ESL: Historic districts and Environmentally Sensitive Lands can add review steps and restrict siting.
Build Specs & Best Practices (Luxury-Grade)
- Base/drainage: Hardscape sloped 1–2% to drains; no discharge to neighbors; protect finishes from thermal shock.
- Non-combustible envelope: Use masonry/porcelain/cast concrete at and around the feature; keep mulch/veg outside clearances.
- Gas systems: Meter sizing verified; shutoff accessible; burial depth per code; tracer wire for PE; pressure-test to code before cover.
- Ignition & controls: Bond per listing; weather-rated components; dedicated GFCI if needed; service loop for maintenance.
- Winds & seating: Use wind guards only if listed; set seating just outside the radiant/convective zone for comfort.
Common Pitfalls That Trigger Corrections
- Trying to place a non-listed unit under a pergola or ignoring vertical clearance requirements.
- Missing manufacturer cut sheets or anchorage details in the plan set.
- Hard-piping a portable unit without pulling the required Plumbing/Gas permit.
- No gas pressure test or covering trenches prior to inspection.
- Poor siting in WUI areas (vegetation too close, wind exposure, ember risks).
Typical Fees & Installed Cost Ranges (San Diego)
| Item | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade permits (gas/electrical) | Low hundreds (scope-dependent) | City schedules vary; simple residential MEP items can be “No-Plan.” |
| Building permit (masonry/prefab wood) | Plan check + issuance (by valuation) | Includes inspections; structural details needed for masonry. |
| Gas fire pit (installed) | $3.5k–$12k+ | Size/finish, burner BTU, trenching, valves/ignition, patio patching. |
| Outdoor fireplace (masonry/prefab) | $12k–$30k+ | CMU or prefab kit, veneer/caps, hearth/seat walls, venting. |
We itemize materials, trenching, valves, ignition, finishes, and inspections in your proposal and coordinate any HOA/Coastal needs.
See a Line-Item Fire Feature Quote
Timeline (Typical)
- Design & selections: 1–2 weeks
- Permits: Simple trade permits can be same-day to a few days; building permits for masonry/prefab fireplace ~1–3+ weeks depending on plan check.
- Build: Gas fire pits 1–2 days (plus utility/inspection lead time). Masonry/prefab fireplaces 3–7+ days depending on scope/veneer.
- Inspections: Gas pressure test, rough/final, and final building inspection (where applicable).
Start My Fireplace / Fire Pit Design →
Quote Comparison Checklist (Bring These)
- Siting: Distances to structures/eaves, vegetation, and property lines; wind exposure; WUI context.
- Appliance: Gas vs. wood; BTU & ignition type; listed for covered use (if under pergola); cut sheets.
- Utilities: Meter capacity; line size/length; shutoff location; electrical circuit for ignition/lighting; sleeves under paving.
- Surrounds: Non-combustible finishes; caps; seat walls; storage niches.
- Base & drainage: Patio slope (1–2%); drains/catch basins; lawful discharge.
- Permits & inspections: Who pulls which permits; inspection count; plan submittals for masonry/prefab wood.
- HOA/Coastal: Board packet and any Coastal/overlay review timing.
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Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.
FAQs
Do I need a permit for a gas fire pit?
Often a Plumbing/Gas Permit (and Electrical if igniter/lighting). A Building Permit may not be required for decorative gas-only units—scope and listing determine path.
How far from the house does my fire pit need to be?
Small open recreational fires are typically 25 ft from structures; portable/approved outdoor fireplaces typically 15 ft from structures/combustibles. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions—your model may require more.
Can I put a fire pit under my pergola or louvered roof?
Only if the unit is listed for covered installations and you can meet all vertical/side clearances and ventilation requirements. Many models are not approved under overheads.
Is wood-burning allowed in San Diego?
Yes for home fireplaces/fire pits (as of 2025), but you must follow City fire clearances and safe-burn practices. Gas is recommended in WUI areas and for comfort/controls.
What about HOA and Coastal?
Most HOAs require plan/material approval; we provide a board-ready packet. Some Coastal Overlay sites add reviews or require a Coastal Development Permit—our team verifies and manages this.
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