Fire Pits and Outdoor Fireplaces in Paso Robles, CA

Paso Robles Landscaping designs and builds fire pits, fire tables, fire bowls and outdoor fireplaces for homes inside the City of Paso Robles, along with the patio, seat walls, lighting and gas lines that go with them. Hot afternoons give way to cool nights here, and a fire feature is what keeps people outside after dinner. Our office is on Riverside Avenue, and this page covers city lots. For unincorporated west-side and east-side acreage, County rules apply; see our outdoor living in Paso Robles wine country page. Call 805-712-4440 or request a free estimate.

Gas or Wood on a City Lot?

• Gas. Natural gas or propane pits and tables light with a switch, make no sparks and little smoke, and suit smaller city yards with neighbors close by, wood fences and covered patios. They need a gas line or tank, a shutoff and City permits for the gas work.
• Wood. A wood fire pit needs more room. Under the California Fire Code (Section 307.4.2), a recreational fire must not be held within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and anything that could spread fire inside that distance must be cleared before lighting. Section 307.4.3 allows portable outdoor fireplaces at 15 feet when used per the manufacturer's instructions, and Section 307.5 requires the fire to be attended with an extinguisher or garden hose on hand. Many city lots can't meet 25 feet, which is one reason most of our in-town fire features are gas.
• Clean fires only. The City's Emergency Services FAQ says burning trash, debris or yard trimmings is not allowed inside city limits. A fire pit is for clean, dry firewood or gas, never yard waste.

The City enforces the fire code through its Emergency Services Department (805-227-7560 for code questions), and local amendments can change details. We confirm per lot before the design is final.

City Permits for Gas and Built Features

Inside city limits, the City Building Division issues permits and inspects the work, and applications go through the PasoPermits portal. The Building Division phone is 805-237-3850.

• Gas lines. Running natural gas or setting a permanent propane supply for a fire pit, fire table or fireplace needs a City permit and inspection.
• Built fireplaces. A masonry or prefabricated outdoor fireplace with a footing and chimney needs a building permit and drawings, and it has to meet zoning setbacks; the Planning Division is at 805-237-3970.
• Covers. The City's Building FAQ says a patio cover needs a permit unless it is at least 10 feet from the structure and less than 120 square feet. We keep fire features out from under covers unless the unit is listed for that use and the cover is built for it.
• Freestanding tables. A freestanding propane fire table on a finished patio often needs no building permit. We confirm with the City for your project.

Fire Zones, Oaks and Surfaces

• Fire hazard zones. The City's FHSZ FAQ notes High and Moderate zones inside city limits. Check your parcel on the State Fire Marshal's FHSZ map. We set fire features on noncombustible patios and keep the first five feet around the house in gravel, pavers or low irrigated planting; see fire-safe landscaping.
• Oaks. Under the City's Oak Tree Preservation regulations, removing an oak 6 inches or more in diameter needs a permit, and each oak's Critical Root Zone is protected. We keep seating circles clear of low limbs and route gas trenches around root zones.
• Surfaces. Flagstone, pavers, concrete or decomposed granite under and around the feature, with gravel instead of bark mulch nearby; see hardscape in Paso Robles.

Designing the Seating Circle

We size the circle for your group, usually with 3 to 4 feet between the fire edge and the seats, and add seat walls so the space works without extra furniture. We place the fire out of the afternoon wind, add low step and path lighting, and often pair it with an outdoor kitchen or a deck. On sloped lots the circle may sit on a terrace built with retaining walls.

If a pool is part of the plan, we do the master design for the whole backyard and refer you to pool builders we have done whole-yard projects with. You sign a separate contract with the pool builder, and we coordinate the schedule and build everything around the pool: decks, patios, walls, lighting, kitchen and planting. See pool projects in Paso Robles.

Cost depends on gas or wood, size, finishes, seat walls, the patio and the length of the gas line. We give you a written estimate after a site visit; see our fire features and Paso Robles landscaping pages.

Nearby Areas We Serve

From Paso Robles we also work in Templeton, Atascadero, Paso Robles wine country and Creston. See every community on our San Luis Obispo County service area page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far does a wood fire pit need to be from my house in Paso Robles?

Under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2, a recreational fire must not be held within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Portable outdoor fireplaces used per the manufacturer can be 15 feet away under Section 307.4.3. The City enforces the fire code with local amendments, so we confirm per lot.

Is a gas fire pit a better fit for a city lot?

Often. Gas makes no sparks and little smoke, turns off with a switch and needs less clearance from fences and neighbors. It needs a gas line or propane tank and City permits for the gas work.

Do I need a City permit for a fire pit in Paso Robles?

A gas line or a built outdoor fireplace with a footing needs a City building permit and inspection through PasoPermits (805-237-3850). A freestanding propane fire table on a finished patio often does not. We confirm for your project.

Can I burn yard trimmings in my fire pit?

No. The City does not allow burning of trash, debris or vegetation inside city limits. Use clean, dry firewood or gas.

How much does a fire pit cost in Paso Robles?

It depends on gas or wood, size, finishes, seat walls, the patio and the gas line. We give a free written estimate after a site visit.