Burning & Fire Pit Regulations

1. All Fire Pits must be appropriately approved by CPI prior to its use. If a Fire Pit is to be permanently installed it must be done so using materials approved for its purpose. A permanently installed Fire Pit will require an appropriate permit. It must be shown on the lot survey and conform to the location requirements in Paragraph 7 below. A portable Fire Pit is considered personal property and does not require a permit. Homemade portable fire pits are not permitted. However, The Association must be made aware of the existence of any newly purchased portable Fire Pit. The homeowner must follow the same steps required to grandfather a previously existing Fire Pit to authorize its use.
2. Pre-existing Fire Pits are not exempt from these guidelines and can be grandfathered provided the following procedure is followed:
   1. Grandfathering of Existing Wood Burning Fire Pits.
   2. The Homeowner must notify the CPI Department of the existence of a Fire Pit on their property.
   3. The notification must contain the property address and a photo of the Fire Pit.
   4. A representative of the CPI Department will come and inspect the Fire Pit to determine if it can be safely used.
   5. The CPI Department will respond with a letter acknowledging the Fire Pit has been grandfathered.
   6. The homeowner should notify their homeowner’s insurance company of the existence of a Fire Pit.
3. The only fuel allowed to be burned in a wood burning Fire Pit is dry seasoned hardwood or charcoal. Pine cannot be burned.
4. Wood burning Fire Pits must always use a mesh spark screen. Wood burning Fire Pits cannot be any larger than three (3) feet in diameter and two (2) feet in height.
5. Wood burning Fire Pits may be filled only up to a maximum of 70% of their capacity, with flames limited to two (2) feet high by three (3) feet wide.
6. The only fuels allowed to be burned in a gas Fire Pit are propane gas or natural gas. If the fuel source cannot be concealed within the unit it must be appropriately screened as determined by the ARC.
7. A Fire Pit shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet from any other structure, not less than six (6) feet from the side property line, and if permanently installed, not less than ten (10) feet from the rear property line or fifteen (15) feet from the bulkhead. All Fire Pits must have at least ten (10) feet of clearance from overhead branches and cannot be placed under a covered porch.
8. An area at least 4 feet wide around the entire Fire Pit must be kept free of all flammable material.
9. Fire Pits must be placed on a level brick, stone, concrete or other non-combustible surface.
10. The use of any type of accelerant (lighter fluid, gasoline, etc.) as a fire starter is prohibited. If paper is used it must be weighed down by the wood.
11. There must be a steady supply of water (for wood burning Fire Pits) or an appropriately rated fire extinguisher or other extinguishing device nearby for all Fire Pits.
12. An adult must always be present.
13. Burning of plastic, painted or treated wood, rubber, leaves, grass, pallets or household trash is strictly prohibited.
14. Fire Pits may not be used in wind over 15 miles per hour.
15. The homeowner should notify their homeowner’s insurance company of the existence of a Fire Pit.

Source: Architectural ReviewCommittee Guidelines