I want to put a fire pit in my backyard. Apparently Fairfax County requires any open fire source (to include barbecues) to be 15 feet from any combustible combustible construction (that includes your deck)

Does this get enforced routinely or only retroactively when something bad happens?

I know someone who has built a fire-pit and not received any complaints yet.
I've had fires in a raised 'patio-type' copper fire-pit with no problems.

As to the definition of an open fire, a firepit directly in the ground is definitely open.. a grill or raised pits are in a gray area.

I know there are leaf burning laws; imagine if everyone burned their lawn debris every autumn/spring. Our air quality is already dreadful.

Why not call the fire chief? If there are laws, there's sure to be permits, exceptions.

If I see flames I call the police. There are very few properties in the county where open fires are safe, and no one in this suburbia knows how to safely handle open fires. If people don't report seeing open flames it is because they don't understand the danger here... we live too close together.

but how can i have some more if i just got here?

you're killin me, Smalls.

Unless you're neighbors are like justsayin, you're fine.

Just get an outdoor fireplace at Lowes that has a cage. I had one in the backyard of my SFH in Brookfield for 4 years. Just don't leave it unattended. And keep a garden hose close by and ready, especially in this dry condition we are in now. Cage or not fires can go wrong quickly. If someone burns my shit down out of ignorance, sombody is gonna get fucked up

Can we all come over and have satanic rituals around it? Then yes, it's totally allowed.

There is a drought going on right now - best keep your garden hose handy if you are having a fire.

Ive heard the fire chief and fire investigators talking about suspicious outside fire. When they arrived the report a legal fire on a legal fire pit. There are also what they call a supervised legal fire.
Im not sure what makes a fire pit legal. I would imagine the local fire marshall would know.

We have a fire pit. Just a hole in the ground, but lots of wood in the yard to burn. Police (not fire marshall) came by one night and told us that as long as it was being used for entertainment or cooking that it was legal. If its primary purpose was to burn all the brush in the yard, he said he would have to make us put it out. He was very nice about it. We offered him a smore but he declined. We burned a lot of brush that night, while cooking smores for entertainment purposes.

"Police (not fire marshall) came by one night and told us that as long as it was being used for entertainment or cooking that it was legal."

This should come as some relief to those roasting goats in the 7 corners area.

There are rules, and I would have them printed and at the ready because it seems not only neighbors but FCFD and the PD are apt not to know them. You see flames in my backyard and you call without knowing the LAW, you and I might just not be the friendliest of neighbors.
Attachments:

justsayin Wrote:
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> If I see flames I call the police.

Concur.

These idiots with their fire pits are unbelievable. It has really taken off over the last few years. It appears to be the new way for immature males to be "cool".

No one wants to smell smoke for hours on end because you want to be a big man and have a fire in your back yard.

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> justsayin Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If I see flames I call the police.
>
> Concur.
>
> These idiots with their fire pits are
> unbelievable. It has really taken off over the
> last few years. It appears to be the new way for
> immature males to be "cool".
>
> No one wants to smell smoke for hours on end
> because you want to be a big man and have a fire
> in your back yard.

Let's see...It's MY yard & the firepit is legal, so fuck off.

If your wife ever gives you back your balls, perhaps you'll learn that sitting beside a fire outdoors is enjoyable and relaxing.

Meanwhile, you're a tool.

You are fine if the fire pit is 3 feet in diameter and the flames are no more than two feet high (and it's for recreational purposes, you have a fire extinguisher handy, it's at least 25 feet from something combustible, people are present, and it only uses clean-burning firewood). Anything bigger and you need a permit.

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/prevention/fmopenburning.htm

Blow_Me_Douche Wrote:
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> Meanwhile, you're a tool.

And you're a lil' boy who wants to feel cool by playing with fire in his backyard.

I'd rather be a tool. :-)

my neighbor built one ghetto as shit and pretty much next to his fucking house. So I am assuming no they don't really check unless someone complains of course then you're fuct

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Blow_Me_Douche Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Meanwhile, you're a tool.
>
> And you're a lil' boy who wants to feel cool by
> playing with fire in his backyard.
>
> I'd rather be a tool. :-)

Congratulations, you got your wish.

When a house burn down.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> I'd rather be a tool. :-)

And so, you are.

Of course, Fairfax County rigidly enforces firepit rules...that's why they have fleets of take-home vehicles for Fire Dept Officers to drive to a reported firepit, night or day!

From the Fairfax County Website Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You are fine if the fire pit is 3 feet in diameter
> and the flames are no more than two feet high (and
> it's for recreational purposes, you have a fire
> extinguisher handy, it's at least 25 feet from
> something combustible, people are present, and it
> only uses clean-burning firewood). Anything
> bigger and you need a permit.
>
> http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/prevention/fmopenb
> urning.htm


I'm batting .500 on those requirements. Burn baby burn.

I love my firepit. Two of my neighbors have one as well. Sometimes we will get all of them going at once in the winter - especially if its snowing. Add some adult beverages and a good time is had by all.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

If you any of you posters had a clue you can call the fire marshal’s office @ 246-2126 and asked to be transferred.

Where to begin with the residents I protect... I guess it is jobbing security you morons!

Smore Anyone?---- only correct statement you made is 15 feet... For your info. and all reading is that the fire marshal’s office does not have the time to inspect your so called fire pit..

acidby+3---- Are you that retarted, please breath in the smoke created and the air quality may kill you because obviously you parents decided not to abort... As if the fire chief has time to field your ignorant call..

justsayin--- call the pd???? have you ever called 911... if so you would realize that it is a combined system.. the fire department responds not the pd in 99% of the situations... stop being a nosy ass and walk over and talk to your neighbor and find out what is going on..

roboscanner1---- are you wearing rubber pants and getting excited every time the FD gets dispatched on something??? Only thing you said remotely correct in your post is the local fire marshal would know!!! As for the fire chief and investigators talking about a suspicious fire, really the fire chief on the radio!!! You have no clue...

Burn Baby Burn--- what was the Fm name??? No such thing as for entertainment!! For the clueless in FFX the Fire Marshalls do not patrol the county at night looking for your half ass you no better fires... Yes those that may come out are out of the FM's office but maybe investigators... you are an f'in retarded if you admit burning brush for entertainment.. let me show up and you will have the greenest lawn in NOVA as I wet down your shit...

To the rest of you fire gods... Simply put me and most could give a rats ass about your lil fires... If we are called out to deal with your conflagration it will be put out... Yes the county and state has laws for open burning.. for those brave enough to burn your brush you are nothing more than cocky and I hope I respond.. I love how you cowards make up excuses... To all the rest thank you for your business, as long as you tards are in the county my co-workers and I have a job...

What to do with the neighbours having at least once a week (usually Friday and weekend) open fire 5 feet high at their yard open fireplace. They removed and burned all trees on their property and neighbouring park, every couple weeks they bring wood boxes (from their company I guess) to burn. They start at 7pm and burn until 2-3am. We are tired of smoke, we cannot open windows in the evening.We cannot stay outsid our house enhaling smoke. They burn even when it's 90 F hot.They moved to this property 4 years ago and now it's a nightmare for us (all smoke goes to our house)

What to do with them? Talk first? Or complain anonimously?

Another neighbour (neighbouring house) already got cancer.

When I lived in Springfield I had 1/4 acre and a perfect set up for my fire pit. I would burn in the back yard the specified distance from the house, structures and property line. Never had a problem. I even called the fire dept and they said as long as its being used as a heat source or to cook food I was good to go.

Every couple months I light up our pit to let the kids roast hot dogs and smores while I burn up credit card statements and other such stuff.

Only problem is I need a better source of wood. Home Depot's wood is overpriced and I don't do this often enough to want to store a bunch of firewood in the yard.

Please, if you have a fire, invite me over. I have no friends. Feel free to explore my anal area as well. It's always open for those who include me in their "cool" activities.

Fairfax County Code allows a "warming fire" in your yard also. Not a "bonfire". So if it is a small fire, you simply tell the police or fire personnel if they show up.....it's a "warming fire". You are good to go.

if you have to ask the answer is NO

cause we're sure your dumb ass starts a fire

yea bullova shovel money at her friends to write rules

let me guess they aren't worth a crap

and are likely stolen - probably they are from CA

Wow, amazing so many babies complaining about fbackyard fire pits. Calling cops? Lmao seriously?

The fires are 100% legal if within the guidelines mentioned above. If you don't like it, move.

The Dude Abides Wrote:
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> Wow, amazing so many babies complaining about
> fbackyard fire pits. Calling cops? Lmao
> seriously?
>
> The fires are 100% legal if within the guidelines
> mentioned above. If you don't like it, move.

Wow, amazing some idiot has to dig through two years of posts to find just the right post to make a condescending douchebag reply.
(See, I just did it with the first one on the homepage.)

Used to have fires all the time in my 1/4 acre lot. Seemed kinda whacked but it was fun. Id burn my xmas tree and have flames 20 feet in the air! I always had a garden hose and some marshmallows around so if the cops came I could say it was for cooking. Some great times.

U guys Have No Clue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you any of you posters had a clue you can call
> the fire marshal’s office @ 246-2126 and asked
> to be transferred.
>
> Where to begin with the residents I protect... I
> guess it is jobbing security you morons!
>
> Smore Anyone?---- only correct statement you made
> is 15 feet... For your info. and all reading is
> that the fire marshal’s office does not have the
> time to inspect your so called fire pit..
>
> acidby+3---- Are you that retarted, please breath
> in the smoke created and the air quality may kill
> you because obviously you parents decided not to
> abort... As if the fire chief has time to field
> your ignorant call..
>
> justsayin--- call the pd???? have you ever called
> 911... if so you would realize that it is a
> combined system.. the fire department responds not
> the pd in 99% of the situations... stop being a
> nosy ass and walk over and talk to your neighbor
> and find out what is going on..
>
> roboscanner1---- are you wearing rubber pants and
> getting excited every time the FD gets dispatched
> on something??? Only thing you said remotely
> correct in your post is the local fire marshal
> would know!!! As for the fire chief and
> investigators talking about a suspicious fire,
> really the fire chief on the radio!!! You have no
> clue...
>
> Burn Baby Burn--- what was the Fm name??? No such
> thing as for entertainment!! For the clueless in
> FFX the Fire Marshalls do not patrol the county at
> night looking for your half ass you no better
> fires... Yes those that may come out are out of
> the FM's office but maybe investigators... you are
> an f'in retarded if you admit burning brush for
> entertainment.. let me show up and you will have
> the greenest lawn in NOVA as I wet down your
> shit...
>
> To the rest of you fire gods... Simply put me and
> most could give a rats ass about your lil fires...
> If we are called out to deal with your
> conflagration it will be put out... Yes the county
> and state has laws for open burning.. for those
> brave enough to burn your brush you are nothing
> more than cocky and I hope I respond.. I love how
> you cowards make up excuses... To all the rest
> thank you for your business, as long as you tards
> are in the county my co-workers and I have a
> job...


I won't ever let you suck my dick again

if your a dumass and your neighbor feels endangers

YES

'smore anyone? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I want to put a fire pit in my backyard.
> Apparently Fairfax County requires any open fire
> source (to include barbecues) to be 15 feet from
> any combustible combustible construction (that
> includes your deck)
>
> Does this get enforced routinely or only
> retroactively when something bad happens?

yes and that includes your BBQ grill :)

justsayin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If I see flames I call the police. There are very
> few properties in the county where open fires are
> safe, and no one in this suburbia knows how to
> safely handle open fires. If people don't report
> seeing open flames it is because they don't
> understand the danger here... we live too close
> together.

take his telephone away and give it to a denizen who knows what a fire deptartment is and when to call which !

your momma Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> U guys Have No Clue Wrote:
>
> I won't ever let you suck my dick again

yuppies are not worth a fuck we knew that

I built a 2x2x1ft brick structure in the yard and made a fire. This is on a 1/2acre lot 30 ft away from the house. A neighbor from the next street threatened to call the cops, which he then apparently did. A few minutes later a firetruck came by. The friendly firemen said there was nothing wrong with our fire and the kids and neighbor kids had a great time when they got a tour of the fire truck.

I recommend to anyone to download and read the recreational fire guideline:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/prevention/fmpublications/fmrecfire.pdf

maybe print it and have it in your pocket when enjoying your fire, so some jerk won't try to ruin it for you.

There were some "Goat Ropers" a few years ago that put a steel fire pit on their townhouse deck in Springfield.

They built a fire, and burned the wood in the fire pit, they burned the deck, they burned the townhouse, and they burned 3 other townhouses.

That's why people can't be trusted with fire pits.

Been burning for 4 yrs now in my Pit. No more bagging. Back to the 60's

Based on this thread and what I've found on the county's site, I think I have all the info I need in order to build my fire pit in my back yard. The only remaining question I have is this: Does my fire pit have to be a certain distance from my property line, or more importantly my neighbor's property line. I can't find anything regarding this which leads me to believe that it shouldn't be a problem but I just wanted to make sure before I go through the effort of building the fire pit. I have half an acre and where I'm planning to put it is more than 15 feet but less than 25 feet away from the property line so I should be fine. If anyone has info to the contrary, let me know. Thanks!

According to section 7 paragraph 4 of the Fairfax County code:

"Fire pits and all other burning apparatus including bins, barrels and canisters must be set back 100 feet from any property line in any cardinal direction including north, south, east and west. Furthermore, these devices must not emit any fire, flame, smoke, odor, soot, cinders, ashes or fumes in a plume equidistant to the property lines or boundaries or any natural stream or river nearest the property."

So I would check first. You don't want to violate the law and have your neighbors house burning down and then your insurance or savings not paying for it.

'smore anyone? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I want to put a fire pit in my backyard.
> Apparently Fairfax County requires any open fire
> source (to include barbecues) to be 15 feet from
> any combustible combustible construction (that
> includes your deck)
>
> Does this get enforced routinely or only
> retroactively when something bad happens?


YOUR ACTUALLY WAY WAY OFF FROM THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

the thing has to have a spark arrestor. just like your FIREPLACE does (it has a tall pipe, plus it's REQUIRED to have an cinder deflector + rain deflector at the top)

JUST BECAUSE you can buy something at homedepot or lowes doesn't mean it's legal in the usa

an open firepit is simply not legal - it's VERY DANGEROUS

why? because cinders travel high in the air and can land further away than you can see and start a fire out of your reach (ie, no such possible hose length) to put out. worse - it has a high chance of catching afire the CANOPY of trees

if your in an urban area your probably not a dumb ass city slicker and can burn trash in a barrel

why is because you have enough common sense not to catch your house on fire because your not a dumb-ass city slicker

Burn Baby Burn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We have a fire pit. Just a hole in the ground,
> but lots of wood in the yard to burn. Police (not
> fire marshall) came by one night and told us that
> as long as it was being used for entertainment or
> cooking that it was legal. If its primary purpose
> was to burn all the brush in the yard, he said he
> would have to make us put it out. He was very
> nice about it. We offered him a smore but he
> declined. We burned a lot of brush that night,
> while cooking smores for entertainment purposes.

YOUR A LYING SACK OF SHIT

justsayin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If I see flames I call the police. There are very
> few properties in the county where open fires are
> safe, and no one in this suburbia knows how to
> safely handle open fires. If people don't report
> seeing open flames it is because they don't
> understand the danger here... we live too close
> together.

+1

Bum barrels are the only way to go.

Better than a shredder.

Yes to burn barrels. I don't put anything out for recycling anymore practically. We burn once a week due to the sheer volume of amazon boxes that show up on my door. All of that cardboard. Jesus. Anyway, a box cutter and a 55 gal drum are all you need. My neighbors don't care. In fact, on a friday or saturday they all come over and we do s'mores or hot dogs. You don't have to have 100 acres or nothing either. I live about 20 feet on either side from my neighbors and we only have about 1/3 acre lot. Never had any problems.

Yes the enforce fire pit rules. But they do not enforce making sure you are here legally.

That what the law in Spotsylvania Co down Fredericksburg way is with lots of land between most home unless they are in Subdivisions. And I would guess there is more scrutiny on people in subdivisions as houses can be 20 feet apart or less. In Dilapidated trailers on enough land to shoot.. Folk mind there own business. No ones getting out any tape rule. LOL But Its still supposed to be 300 feet ..any open fire from any other house.. including your own!

There are also days and times people can burn , and that goes for Stafford Co, and the other Va counties.

Fairfax has got to be stricter. and Yes its supposed to be 15 feet away from a Apt building and probably townhouse or other house..to have a BBQ.. and I never heard of that being enforced in FXCO if its a house or town house with a small back yard. When I was in a Apt in FXCO, I had a BBQ. and as long as I set it 15 feet away and watched it so children would not get into it..I was good to go..No issues.. But that's BBQ's .. Fire pits that have open flames leaping up "A Torching" are a different issue.. Then theres the difference between Open Burning and Fire Pits..which are small..A Gray area as well.. Open burning means you burn big brush piles, logs all kinds of stuff. Flames 8-10 feet high ..And that's what they enforce with the 300 ft rule mostly in the country..

DAJAX.. And Don't any Of You Libs Dare post the letters KKK with open burning..!! ( AS "Exemptions From The Law" Natch In Lib Minds ) Theres..None!

...said the worlds biggest idiot

Barrels Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes to burn barrels. I don't put anything out for
> recycling anymore practically. We burn once a week
> due to the sheer volume of amazon boxes that show
> up on my door. All of that cardboard. Jesus.
> Anyway, a box cutter and a 55 gal drum are all you
> need. My neighbors don't care. In fact, on a
> friday or saturday they all come over and we do
> s'mores or hot dogs. You don't have to have 100
> acres or nothing either. I live about 20 feet on
> either side from my neighbors and we only have
> about 1/3 acre lot. Never had any problems.

You eat food cooked over burning trash?

Not to mention the black soot that comes with using a fire pit. I think they should be prohibited in garden apartments, townhouses, and condoc

plantano Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> According to section 7 paragraph 4 of the Fairfax
> County code:
>
> "Fire pits and all other burning apparatus
> including bins, barrels and canisters must be set
> back 100 feet from any property line in any
> cardinal direction including north, south, east
> and west. Furthermore, these devices must not emit
> any fire, flame, smoke, odor, soot, cinders, ashes
> or fumes in a plume equidistant to the property
> lines or boundaries or any natural stream or river
> nearest the property."

Correct. Neighbor turned us in for being under 100 ft. from the property line. Fucking asshole...

XDe6E Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 'smore anyone? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> why? because cinders travel high in the air and
> can land further away than you can see and start a
> fire out of your reach (ie, no such possible hose
> length) to put out. worse - it has a high chance
> of catching afire the CANOPY of trees

ANY length of hose is theoretically possible. 1/2 mile of hose is easily possible.

it is legal in Fairfax county to burn fires in a firepit 15' minimum from any structure in a pit 3' across and no more than 2 'high
learn the code and quit ratting out your neighbors like a nazi

I was kind of surprised it was allowed - we had fires all the time in the yard when the kids were little. Id just put a circle of rocks around a very shallow hole maybe 3 feet in diameter. Hot dogs, marshmallows beer. In the summer we would have outdoor movies and the adults would sit by the fire. Spring Id light the christmas tree and the flames would go 15 feet into the air. Had to be careful with the dry christmas tree branches.

No one ever turned us in. I always had a hose at the ready. It was really fun.

acidbyt3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I know there are leaf burning laws; imagine if
> everyone STILL burned their lawn debris every autumn/spring
^
|
FTFY --------+

When I was a kid around here, we always burned our leaves.

Is the back yard wood fence a structure ?

Another nazi
Telling people how to live and then resorting to name calling
I'm sorry Hilary lost
Boo hook

15 feet From a Structure Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is the back yard wood fence a structure ?


depends. r u a asshole? if u r 2 ur neighbors then sure as shit they turn you in