A fire at the center of the seating changes a terrace or a Queens backyard. In New York City, though, the fuel matters more than the furniture, and the rules shift between a Staten Island house and a Manhattan co-op roof. Here is what the code says, and the fire tables and outdoor electric fireplaces that fit inside it.
The short answer
Wood-burning fire pits, chimineas and portable patio fireplaces are not legal in New York City. The NYC Fire Code (FC 307.1) prohibits open fires, and the FDNY treats a wood or solid fuel fire pit as an open fire. A narrow 2022 exception for residential fire pits (FC 307.7) comes with strict conditions. The dependable legal choices are a natural gas fire table piped by a NYC licensed master plumber under a Department of Buildings permit, or a hardwired outdoor-rated electric fireplace. Propane is barred on apartment terraces, balconies and roofs.
Key takeaways
- Wood, charcoal logs and other solid fuel fire pits count as open fires in NYC, and FDNY guidance calls them prohibited.
- Permitted fire features stay 10 feet from combustibles and must be attended while lit.
- Natural gas fire tables need a licensed master plumber, a DOB permit and inspection.
- Twenty pound propane tanks are banned on every NYC roof and balcony.
- Co-op and condo house rules are frequently stricter than the city code.
In this guide
- NYC fire pit rules at a glance
- What does the NYC Fire Code say about fire pits?
- Are wood-burning fire pits allowed in NYC?
- Can you have a natural gas fire table in NYC?
- What are the propane rules?
- Electric and water vapor alternatives
- Rules across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
NYC fire pit rules at a glance
| Fire feature | One or two family home | Apartment, co-op or condo |
|---|---|---|
| Wood or solid fuel fire pit, chiminea | Prohibited as an open fire | Prohibited |
| Natural gas fire table | Possible with a licensed master plumber and DOB permit | Building level project; engineering, filing and board approval |
| Propane fire table | Confirm with FDNY first; 20 lb tanks never on a roof or balcony | Not an option |
| Outdoor-rated electric fireplace | Allowed; licensed electrician for hardwiring | Usually the simplest approval |
What does the NYC Fire Code say about fire pits?
Section 307 of the 2022 NYC Fire Code, enforced by the FDNY since April 15, 2022, opens bluntly: "Kindling, building, maintaining or using an open fire is prohibited." The exceptions cover portable outdoor barbecues (FC 307.5), construction site salamanders and residential fire pits "as authorized by FC 307.7."
FC 307.7 allows a residential fire pit only when it is operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and "constantly attended while a fire is lit." It must stay 10 feet from combustible material and any combustible building surface. Windows, doors and other openings within 25 feet should be kept closed while it burns, and the FDNY may prohibit use in wind or red flag conditions.
The code defines "residential fire pit" separately, and the FDNY can set design and installation standards. Do not read FC 307.7 as a green light for a backyard log fire; it sets conditions, not a general permission.
From our install team
The 10 foot rule decides more NYC layouts than any other line in the code. In a typical Brooklyn or Queens yard, a fence or pergola sits closer than that, so we measure before anyone picks a table size.
Are wood-burning fire pits allowed in NYC?
No. The FDNY's Fire Code guide is direct: portable outdoor fire pits that burn wood or other solid fuel "are regulated by the Fire Code as an open fire," and FC 307.1 prohibits open fires because of the hazard they present. Its summer safety guidance adds that patio fireplaces, patio hearths, fire pits and chimineas are strictly prohibited in the city.
The reasoning is control. Gas and electric shut off at a valve or switch; a log fire throws embers. Smokeless steel pits, manufactured fire logs and charcoal pits do not change the answer. If you are drawn to the look of a wood fire indoors, our guide to wood-burning fireplace rules in NYC covers what existing chimneys can still do.
Can you have a natural gas fire table in NYC?
Often, yes, and it is the path we recommend most for houses with a yard: a controlled flame from a certified appliance, fed by permanent piping rather than a tank. The work is regulated.
What permits does a gas fire table need?
- A NYC licensed master plumber. The city states that a licensed master plumber must obtain a permit to install or alter gas appliances or gas piping. DOB grill guidance requires the same under the NYC Fuel Gas Code.
- A DOB filing. The plumber files the work with the Department of Buildings, typically through DOB NOW.
- Inspection and gas authorization. The piping is tested and inspected, and DOB issues gas authorization only after a passing gas finish inspection.
- A certified appliance. Choose a table certified to ANSI Z21.97, the standard for outdoor decorative gas appliances. The American Fyre Designs tables we carry meet it. Follow the manufacturer's clearances; American Fyre Designs calls for 3 feet at the sides and 6 feet overhead.
In new construction, NYC Local Law 154 limits fossil fuel combustion, starting with buildings under seven stories filed from January 1, 2024, so there may be no gas service (see our Local Law 154 guide). For burners and media, see our gas fire pit buying guide.
Not sure what fits your space? We can measure clearances and check whether a gas line is practical before you choose. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
What are the propane rules for fire pits in NYC?
The Fire Code's propane allowances are written for portable outdoor barbecues, and they depend on building type.
- Apartment buildings (Group R-2). Only barbecues designed for 16.4 ounce cylinders may be stored or used on the premises. The FDNY prohibits propane grills on apartment terraces and balconies, on any roof, and at properties with three or more families.
- One and two family homes (Group R-3). A barbecue may use 20 pound containers, with a maximum of two, but they may not be stored or used indoors or on any rooftop or balcony.
- Outdoor heaters. City heater guidance written for outdoor dining also bars 20 pound containers on rooftops, balconies and terraces.
None of these names a propane fire table. Whether one fits the residential fire pit exception at a house is a question for the FDNY before you buy. We steer NYC clients toward natural gas or electric, and we do not install propane fire features on apartment terraces or roofs.
From our install team
For an NYC address, order the natural gas version of a table, not the propane one. The American Fyre Designs tables we carry come in natural gas, and XO ships its 60 inch table set for natural gas.
Electric and water vapor alternatives
For a terrace, setback or roof deck, outdoor-rated electric is usually the clean answer. With no fuel or combustion, the propane and open fire rules do not apply. What remains is electrical work and the building's approval.
- Use an outdoor-rated unit. The Dimplex IgniteXL line is certified for covered outdoor use under an overhang, and Amantii rates the Symmetry platform for outdoor areas protected from direct water.
- Plan the circuit. The IgniteXL 60 hardwires at 120V or 240V and needs a dedicated, properly fused 15 amp circuit. A licensed electrician should confirm panel capacity.
Water vapor fireplaces make a convincing flame from lit mist but are designed mainly for indoor walls. Ethanol tables are a gray area, covered in are ethanol fireplaces legal in NYC. For flameless warmth, see patio heaters for NYC terraces.
Outdoor Electric Fireplaces Outdoor Fireplaces Electric Patio Heaters
Fire pit rules across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
The Fire Code is citywide. What changes from borough to borough is the housing, and building type decides most of the answer.
Manhattan. Most outdoor space is terraces, setbacks and roof decks in apartment buildings. Propane and wood are out, and a gas line to a roof is a building engineering project, so outdoor-rated electric is the realistic option.
Brooklyn and Queens. Rowhouses and two family homes with rear yards are common. A natural gas table is often achievable, but on narrow lots the 10 foot clearance decides it.
The Bronx and Staten Island. Where detached lots run deeper, a round gas table and a full circle of seating become practical.
Wherever you live, co-op and condo house rules can be stricter than the city code. Many boards bar open flame on terraces. Planning a full outdoor room? See our guide to a year-round outdoor kitchen in New York.
From our install team
Ask the managing agent for the building's alteration rules before you choose a product. A board that approves electric on a terrace may reject any gas line, and knowing early saves a redesign.
Our recommended models
Each comes in a natural gas or electric configuration that suits NYC rules, chosen for narrow yards, terraces and covered roof decks.
Fire Tables Fire Pit Tables American Fyre Designs Fire Pit Burners
Which should you choose?
Choose a natural gas fire table if:
- You own a one or two family home with a yard or ground level patio.
- You can hold 10 feet from combustibles.
- You want a real flame and accept a permit and inspection.
Choose an outdoor electric fireplace if:
- Your space is a terrace, setback or roof deck in an apartment building.
- Your board will not approve gas or open flame.
- You have a covered wall to build it into.
Skip the wood fire pit; it is the one choice the code clearly rules out. For a house with room to meet clearances, a natural gas table gives the most authentic fire. Above the ground floor of an apartment building, outdoor-rated electric is the option that actually gets approved.
Frequently asked questions
Are fire pits legal in NYC?
Wood and solid fuel fire pits are not. The NYC Fire Code prohibits open fires, and the FDNY treats wood fire pits and chimineas as open fires. Natural gas fire tables installed by a licensed master plumber, or outdoor-rated electric fireplaces, are the practical legal options.
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Queens or Brooklyn?
Not a wood-burning one. At a one or two family home, a natural gas fire table is often possible with a licensed master plumber and a DOB permit, kept 10 feet from combustibles and attended while lit.
Can I use a propane fire pit on my NYC balcony or roof?
No. The FDNY prohibits propane grills on apartment terraces, balconies and any roof, and 20 pound tanks may never be used on a rooftop or balcony.
Is an electric fireplace allowed on a NYC terrace?
Usually, yes. With no flame or fuel, the open fire and propane rules do not apply. Choose an outdoor-rated unit, use a licensed electrician, and get board approval first.
Do I need a permit for a natural gas fire table in NYC?
Yes. A NYC licensed master plumber must obtain a permit for gas piping or appliances, and DOB authorizes gas only after a passing gas finish inspection.
Talk to a specialist
A fire feature that belongs on your terrace, and passes
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Bring your measurements and building rules, and we will show you gas and electric side by side in Maspeth.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens. Our Greenvale, Long Island showroom at 13 Glen Cove Road opens winter 2026. Plan your visit.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: FDNY, 2022 NYC Fire Code (Chapter 3, FC 307), NYC Fire Code 2022 Chapter 3 text, FDNY NYC Fire Code Guide, FDNY Summer Fire Safety, NYC DOB Barbecue Safety Tool Kit, NYC311 Gas Appliance or Pipe Permit, NYC DOB Gas Authorization and Sign Off, NYC Outdoor Dining Heating Systems, American Fyre Designs, Dimplex, Amantii. Codes and specifications change; always confirm with the FDNY, the Department of Buildings and the manufacturer's current installation manual.