Three kinds of fire pit
- Open wood fire pits: the classic ring or bowl. Real wood fire, real smoke.
- Smokeless wood fire pits: double-walled steel that pulls air through the walls and burns more of the smoke. Breeo describes its design as one that "pulls in cool air, superheats it, and reburns smoke." Still a wood fire.
- Gas fire pits and tables: natural gas or propane, no wood smoke. Outdoor GreatRoom says all its fire features are UL and ULC listed.
City of Las Vegas fire rules
The City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue barbecues and fireplaces sheet (effective January 5, 2026) sets these rules:
| Type | Size limit | Distance from structures or combustibles |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational fire | 3 ft across, 2 ft high | 25 ft |
| Portable outdoor fireplace | Per manufacturer's instructions | 15 ft |
- Both must be attended at all times.
- Keep a 4-A rated fire extinguisher, or a garden hose, sand or similar, within reach.
- Grills cannot be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.
- Do not store propane tanks near exits.
Measure before you buy. Check 25 feet from the house, the fence, the patio cover and anything else that burns. If you cannot get that, the 15 foot portable outdoor fireplace rule or gas may fit better.
In unincorporated Clark County, the county's 2024 fire code amendments prohibit bonfires. Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own fire departments, so check with yours.
Clark County air quality: voluntary Burn Wise
We found no mandatory residential no-burn-day program in Clark County. The county's Burn Wise program is voluntary guidance. In the county's words, "We don't want to stop you... but we do want you to burn wisely." It asks residents to check the air quality forecast at DESAQMonitoring.ClarkCountyNV.gov before burning.
Each holiday season the county's Put Out the Fire campaign asks owners of wood fireplaces and fire pits to skip burning on December 24 and 25. Fine particle pollution exceeded federal standards on Christmas in 2017, 2020, 2022 and 2023, and the county warns those exceedances "can lead to federal restrictions." Voluntary today does not guarantee voluntary later.
On open burning, Clark County requires air quality approval but exempts "private barbecue pits, grills, or outdoor fireplaces for the preparation of food" (county open burning page). We have not confirmed how that rule treats a backyard fire that is not for cooking, so we are not going to tell you it is covered either way.
Smokeless does not mean exempt
Smokeless pits are designed to reburn smoke, which your neighbors may appreciate. But we found no Clark County or Las Vegas rule that treats them differently from any other wood fire. Expect a smokeless pit to fall under the portable outdoor fireplace (15 ft) or recreational fire (25 ft) rules and the Burn Wise guidance. Anyone who tells you a smokeless pit is exempt from local fire rules is guessing.
If you are considering Breeo, the company states that every Breeo fire pit is designed and built in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from American-sourced steel (per Breeo).
Gas fire pits
Gas removes the wood smoke question entirely, and Outdoor GreatRoom says gas burns more cleanly than traditional wood. A few things to know:
- Look for a listing from a recognized testing lab. Clark County's fire code requires gas and propane fire pits used for public assembly or display to be certified by a nationally recognized testing agency.
- A permanent natural gas line needs a permit. Clark County reviews gas piping under the Uniform Plumbing Code (BPG-182). We have not verified exactly what triggers a gas permit, so ask the building department or your plumber.
- Propane avoids the gas line, but keep tanks away from exits.
Check your HOA first
Many Las Vegas master-planned communities restrict wood fires, and some allow fire pits only with architectural review committee approval. Read your CC&Rs and get ARC approval before you buy. Your HOA can be stricter than the city.
Which one fits
- You have room for 25 feet of clearance and your HOA allows wood: a wood or smokeless pit works.
- Your yard is tight: look at portable outdoor fireplaces (15 feet) or gas.
- Your HOA restricts wood fires: gas may be the option, subject to your CC&Rs and ARC approval.
Frequently asked questions
Are backyard fire pits legal in Las Vegas?
The City of Las Vegas fire sheet allows recreational fires up to 3 feet across and 2 feet high, at least 25 feet from structures or combustibles, and portable outdoor fireplaces at least 15 feet away. Both must be attended at all times with a 4-A extinguisher or a hose, sand or similar on hand. HOA rules can be stricter.
Does Clark County have no-burn days?
We found no mandatory residential no-burn-day program. Clark County runs voluntary Burn Wise guidance and asks people to skip wood fires, including fire pits, on December 24 and 25. The county warns that pollution exceedances can lead to federal restrictions.
Are smokeless fire pits exempt from fire rules?
No. We found no Clark County or Las Vegas rule that treats smokeless pits differently. They still burn wood, so expect the same distance, attendance and extinguisher rules as other wood fires.
Is a gas fire pit easier to get approved?
Gas avoids wood smoke, and some HOAs that restrict wood fires may treat gas differently, so check your CC&Rs. A permanent natural gas line needs a permit; Clark County reviews gas piping under the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Do HOAs in Las Vegas restrict fire pits?
Many master-planned communities restrict wood fires. Read your CC&Rs and get architectural review committee approval before you buy.
Keep reading
Browse our fire pits collection, see all guides, or ask us a question about your project.