Updated August 2025 — San Diego County

Looking for a backyard fire feature that’s cozy, code-clean, and done fast? This guide covers installed costs for gas and wood, permit paths, clearances, trenching (gas/electrical), design options, and timelines—optimized for San Diego homes.

TL;DR — 2025 San Diego Fire Pit & Fireplace Costs

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Installed Cost by Type (San Diego Typical)

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Packages (Good / Better / Best)

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Common Adders (Worth Pricing In)

• Long trench runs, hardscape crossings, coring through slabs/walls
• Electronic ignition kits / smart automation / wind sensor
• Higher BTU burners / oversized linear lengths
• Stone veneer, precast caps, custom lids, glass wind guards
• Seat walls, backrests, integrated low-voltage lighting
• Permit fees, HOA submittals, inspections

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Design & Clearances (Comfort + Compliance)

• Placement & fire code distances: City Fire treats recreational wood fires as max 3’Ø × 2′ high and requires 25 ft from structures; approved containers and portable outdoor fireplaces must be 15 ft from structures/combustibles—and must be constantly attended with an extinguisher/hose on hand.^{[7] [8]}
• Seating geometry: For 36–48″ pits, plan 18–24″ cap height, 18–24″ seat distance, ~18″ seat height—a comfortable conversation ring.
• Zone 0 (0–5 ft from walls): Use non-combustible hardscape (pavers, concrete, stone, DG with binder); avoid loose mulch or wood furniture in this zone.^{[8] [21]}
• Gas line design: Size pipe for total BTU and developed length; confirm meter/regulator capacity (SDG&E service request) when loads increase.^[11]
• Electrical design: Provide dedicated circuits for ignition/lighting; burial depths per CEC Table 300.5.^[19]
• LP (propane) cylinders & tanks: Vent enclosures; above-ground ASME tanks follow CFC Table 6104.3 (e.g., typical **10 ft** separation for 125–500 gal; **25 ft** for 501–2,000 gal).^[20]
• Finish palette & lighting: Match house stucco/stone, repeat cap materials from steps/kitchen, and add warm 2700–3000K lighting for night comfort.

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Permits & Approvals — City of San Diego (what we pull for you)

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City of San Diego — Submittal Package (what we include)

• Site plan with property lines, structures, measured distances to the feature, trench routing to meter/panel, and any easements/ROW notes.^[4]
• Plan views & elevations of pit/fireplace (dimensions, cap heights, finish schedule).
• Gas isometrics & BTU schedule (appliance inputs, developed length, sizing) + note to coordinate SDG&E if meter/regulator upsizing is needed.^[11]
• Electrical one-line & load for ignition/lighting with burial notes per CEC Table 300.5.^[19]
• Manufacturer cut sheets (listed burner/valve/ignition, wind guard, media).
• Lighting plan (low-voltage runs, transformer location, controls).
• Wildland notes (Zone 0 surfaces) for applicable VHFHSZ addresses.^{[8] [21]}

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Constraints & Red Flags (Plan Around These)

• Setbacks/encroachments (City): Exterior fireplace enclosures may encroach into required yards within IB-201 limits (never closer than 2′-6″ to property lines; width/height rules).^[4]
• Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ): Maintain non-combustible Zone 0 0–5 ft from structures; keep combustibles back from heat sources.^{[8] [21]}
• Coastal Overlay / ESL / bluffs: CDP exemptions have exceptions; prior CDP conditions can control—verify before design lock.^{[15] [16]}
• ROW / parkway: Private improvements in the ROW need separate approvals (ROW Permit/EMRA).^{[13] [14]}
• LP tank placement: Observe CFC 6104.3 separations (e.g., 10 ft for 125–500 gal; 25 ft for 501–2,000 gal).^[20]

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Build Specs & Best Practices (We install to code—first time)

• Gas trenching: County guidance and CPC practices: non-metallic gas lines typically at **18″ cover** (min.) with continuous **tracer wire**; medium-pressure lines require ≥18″ cover. Pressure test per code prior to backfill.^[18]
• Electrical burial: Follow CEC Table 300.5 for minimum cover by wiring method/site condition; provide GFCI where required; proper raceway transitions/risers at grade.^[19]
• Bonding: Bond metal gas piping per CEC 250.104(B) and equipment listings; CSST per manufacturer.^[19]
• LP safety: No LP appliances in pits/below grade; ventilate enclosures per listing and NFPA 58/CFC intent; observe tank separations noted above.^[20]
• Chimneys (wood): Provide spark arrestors (≤½” openings, 12-ga min.) on solid-fuel chimneys in County jurisdictions.^[8]
• SDG&E coordination: For added loads/relocations, submit SDG&E service planning/relocation requests; trench inspection may be required.^{[11] [12]}

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Common Pitfalls That Trigger Corrections

• Insufficient gas trench cover or missing tracer wire → we trench to depth, provide tracer wire, and call inspection before backfill.^[18]
• Improper electrical burial → we follow CEC 300.5 and document cover by method/location.^[19]
• LP cylinder stored in unvented cabinetry or below grade → we provide ventilation and keep cylinders out of pits.^[20]
• Placing wood fires too close to structures or unattended → we enforce 25 ft/15 ft rules and attendance requirements.^{[7] [8]}
• Building in the public right-of-way without approvals → we verify property line/ROW and keep private improvements off public land.^{[13] [14]}
• Coastal/historic surprises late in the process → we screen for CDP & historic flags up front.^{[15] [1]}

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Typical Timeline

• Design & selections: 2–5 days (layout, veneer, burner BTU, lighting).
• Permits (if needed): Simple (no-plan) MEP permits are typically issued quickly once fees are paid; plan-review scopes vary by complexity.^[1]
• Install: 1–3 days for pits/linear; 3–6+ days for fireplaces depending on veneer and inspections.

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Quote Comparison Checklist

• Scaled plan with distances to meter/panel; trench routing and hardscape crossings
• Burner length/BTU, ignition type (manual vs electronic), media (lava, glass)
• Veneer/cap specifics, seat wall details, lighting integration
• Permit path and cost (Simple MEP vs plan review), inspection count, HOA submittal
• Gas/electrical notes: burial depths, tracer wire, bonding, GFCI, labeling
• Warranty (burner/valve/ignition) and service plan

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FAQs

What’s the cheapest way to add a fire feature?

A quality prefab propane bowl/table with a small pad is often $2,000–$6,500 installed. Custom surrounds, benches, and automation add cost but upgrade the look.

How much is a built-in gas fire pit?

Most 36–60″ pits land $4,500–$12,000 installed depending on veneer, BTU/ignition, and trenching.

What does a linear fire feature cost?

Expect $8,500–$22,000+ for a 6–12 ft linear with stone/stucco surround; longer and smarter = higher cost.

What about a full outdoor fireplace?

Custom CMU fireplaces typically run $14,000–$35,000+. Veneer, chimney height, and lighting move price most.

Do I need permits?

New gas lines and hard-wired ignition/lighting usually require Simple (no-plan) MEP permits with inspections. Some scopes (historic, structural work) require plan review. We confirm and pull the simplest path for your address.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Can I burn wood?

Sometimes—where allowed and with proper clearances. City rules require **25 ft** to structures for recreational wood fires and **15 ft** for portable outdoor fireplaces; nuisance smoke is regulated by the County APCD. Many homeowners pick gas for cleaner operation and fewer restrictions.^{[7] [9] [10]}

Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.

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References

1. City of San Diego — Simple Permits (MEP, no-plan).
2. City of San Diego — Simple (No-Plan) Electrical Permit.
3. City of San Diego — Plumbing/Gas Permit (Simple vs Plan).
4. City of San Diego — Information Bulletin 201: How to Obtain a Permit for a Fireplace (includes yard encroachment limits).
5. City of San Diego — Information Bulletin 203: No-Plan Building Permit.
6. City of San Diego — Information Bulletin 103: MEP Fee Schedule.
7. San Diego Fire-Rescue — Recreational Fires & Portable Outdoor Fireplaces (25 ft / 15 ft + attendance).
8. County of San Diego — 2023 Consolidated Fire Code (Sec. 307.4.3 portable outdoor fireplaces 15 ft; Sec. 307.5 attendance; Sec. 605.3.1 spark arrestors; Sec. 4907.9.1 Zone 0).
9. San Diego APCD — Open Burning (burn day decisions & permitting).
10. San Diego APCD — Rule 51: Nuisance.
11. SDG&E — Service Planning for Expansion/Relocation (BTU info, online request).
12. SDG&E — Builder Services: Gas Relocation guide.
13. City of San Diego — Right-of-Way Permit (private encroachments in ROW).
14. City of San Diego — Information Bulletin 576: Encroachments in the ROW (EMRA).
15. San Diego Municipal Code — Ch.12, Art.6, Div.7: Coastal Development Permit / Exemptions.
16. City of San Diego — Zoning overview (Coastal Overlay may require CDP).
17. City of San Diego — Coastal Overlay Zone map (illustrative).
18. County of San Diego PDS — PDS-438B: Burial Depths (Gas/Electrical on private property) (tracer wire, 18″ cover for non-metallic/medium pressure).
19. California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3) — 2022 CEC (includes Table 300.5 & 250.104).
20. County Fire / Local FPDs — Residential Plan Review Corrections (CFC 6104.3 LP tank separations); see also RSF FPD plan check sheet for quick table.
21. City of San Diego — Wildfire Preparedness (AB 3074 “Zone Zero”).

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