Know Your Clearance Rules
Most cities want 10–20 feet of clearance from your house, fences, and anything flammable overhead. Check your local codes before you buy a single block — setback rules vary by municipality across the Denver metro.
Wood or Gas? Check First
Some neighborhoods and HOAs are gas-only. Confirm whether wood burning is allowed in your area before you design anything. This decision affects everything downstream, so lock it in now.
Pick a Spot You'll Use
Choose a spot that's level, sheltered from wind, and close enough to the house that you'll actually walk out there on a cool evening. Then mark a circle at least 4 feet wider than your finished pit for working room.
Denver Note
We build fire features all over the Denver metro, and wind exposure is the local factor people underestimate. A sheltered spot burns cleaner, safer, and more enjoyably.
Pro tips from the field
- Sit in the spot at 8pm before you commit. You're buying evening ambiance — judge it in the evening.
- Check sight lines from the kitchen window. A fire pit you can see from inside gets used twice as often.
- Call 811 before you dig, even for a fire pit. Gas and electric lines don't care about your project size.
Common questions
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
Most codes require 10–20 feet from structures, fences, and overhanging trees. Check your local rules.
Can I have a wood-burning fire pit in Denver?
It depends on your city and HOA — some areas are gas-only. Always verify before building.