Beach Bonfires

2026 SWFD BEACH BONFIRE GUIDELINES
CONTAINER: All fires must be in containers approved by the SWFD and only combustible, non-toxic material, free of nails, glass, and other potentially dangerous items may be used in any fire. The following requirements for fire pits on the beach shall be strictly adhered to:

1. All wood fire pits shall be equipped with a steel bottom which must sit a minimum of 4 inches off the sandy portion of the beach.
2. All propane fire pits shall be in an approved UL Listed (Underwriters Laboratories) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Listed container.
3. All propane fire pits shall use a standard 20lb (max) propane bottle for fuel source and shall only be utilized with an approved fire pit.
4. For propane fires, the propane regulator hose shall be five (5) feet (min) in length.
5. Propane fires pits may not exceed three (3) feet in diameter and must sit a minimum of 4 inches off the sandy portion of the beach.
6. Fire rings or pits with no bottom are strictly prohibited.
7. No cooking attachments, such as grates, griddles, tripods, rotisseries, etc., shall be allowed on the fire pit, and no other cooking apparatus shall be allowed.
8. It shall be unlawful and a violation of the ordinance for a person to use a charcoal grill on the beach. Propane gas grills utilizing no more than 1lbs cylinder may be permitted for use pursuant to this Section if less than two hundred and twenty-five (225) square inches in cooking surface.
9. Attendant/permitee cannot leave fires unattended.

MATERIAL:

• Flammable and/or combustible liquids shall not be utilized for fueling the bonfires. Use paper and matches rather than lighter fluid/gasoline to ignite your fire.
• Bonfire material shall not consist of pressure treated lumber, tar paper, contents containing any rubber products, creosote treated lumber, glue impregnated material, plastic, foam, or household trash.
• All burn material shall be free of nails or other metals.

 SET UP:

• Servicing of the bonfire site will be accomplished by hand carrying the equipment and supplies to the site. Vehicles shall not service the bonfire site (unless you have a beach vehicle permit.)
• March 1^st to October 31^st, bonfire pits and any evidence of shall not be placed on the beach prior to 5:00pm; and any evidence of or remnant from fires must be removed by 12:00 midnight.
• November 1^st to the last day of February, bonfire pits and any evidence of shall not be placed on the beach prior to 4:00pm and any evidence of or remnants from fires must be removed by 11:00pm.
• There is a six (6) tiki torch maximum limit per event regardless of the number of permits issued for said event.

 Applicants shall adhere to the following:

• The fire pit, galvanized tub or burn barrel shall not be buried in the sand at any time during use or after the fire.
• It shall be 100 feet away from habitable structures.
• It shall be 200 feet away from sea turtle nests.
• It shall be 50 feet away from vehicles, public roads, other structures, plants and vegetation (Dunes.)
• No permitted fire shall be within 30 feet of another permitted fire on any beach owned, leased, dedicated to, or maintained by the County.

 EXTINGUISHMENT:

• Upon completion of the bonfire, all ashes and leftover material must be thoroughly extinguished and removed from the beach.  
• A working 5lb ABC (min) fire extinguisher tagged in compliance with NFPA 10 standard for portable fire extinguishers shall be required on site for all beach bonfires at all times.

CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION:

• It shall be unlawful and is in violation of the South Walton Fire District Ordinance as well as the Walton County Ordinance for any person failing to clean up as provided with the ordinance. Issuance of the permit does not excuse or relieve the applicant from liability, responsibility for any damages, residual damages as a result of an improper, carelessness or negligence in setting up, tending , or extinguishing the fire.
• Cleanup and restoration of the site shall be completed by the expiration date and time set forth by the permit. The person obtaining the permit is responsible for providing the trash bags, removing the trash and placing all the trash in the proper containers.
• Evidence of or remnants from fires shall not be buried or deposited in the County beach garbage collection stations, beach dune systems, parking areas, or any other areas owned, leased, dedicated to, or maintained by the County.

Leave the area clean, dark & flat!

WEATHER:

• Unsuitable wind or weather conditions shall be taken into consideration prior to and during the actual bonfire; adverse conditions may cause the revocation of the permit.
• Permits shall not be issued when the SWFD has good reason to believe that the proposed fire will endanger the public health, safety, welfare, or other people or property, or when the Florida Fire Service issues a no burn order.

Refunds or rainchecks are not granted on the permits, so please plan your event carefully.
 
AGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Permits are issued to persons 18 years or older. Participant under the age of 18 shall be chaperoned by an adult EIGHTEEN (18) years of age or older. FOR SUCH GROUPS, THE PERMIT WILL ONLY BE ISSUED TO THE CHAPERONE.  Children shall be accompanied by an adult at all times when near a recreational fire.

THE PERMIT:

• The person obtaining the permit must be present during the hours of the bonfire. The approved bonfire permit shall be present upon request of a Fire Official or Law Enforcement Officer. The South Walton Fire District reserves the right to check for permit compliance at any time.     
• Owners of property adjacent to the Gulf shall register their property with SWFD in order to obtain beach bonfire permits. All Gulf adjacent property owner permits are non-transferable and are specific to the owner, date and location.

 If you are hiring a permitted South Walton Beach Vendor, they will purchase a Temporary Beach Bonfire permit with your prior authorization.

PENALTIES

• Persons that light a beach bonfire without a permit are in violation of SWFD and Walton County Ordinances.
• Penalties for lighting a fire on the beach without a permit is $500.00 as listed in Walton County Resolution 2021-151
• https://www.co.walton.fl.us/471/Resolutions-Ordinances

Order Permit Online:
www.swfd.org/beach-safety/bonfire-permit-request
If you need assistance with this process our Administrative Office is open Monday – Friday, between 8am and 4pm.
Call: 850.267.1307  OR email:  beachbonfire@swfd.org