Fire pit patios and seat walls
Black Hills evenings cool off fast, even in July. A fire pit with a paver surround and a curved seat wall makes the yard usable long after sunset.
A fire pit patio is a paver surface sized and placed around a fire feature, usually with a seat wall or two, a path back to the house and enough room to pull chairs back from the heat. The fire pit itself can be a block kit, a steel ring set into the pavers, or a gas burner housed in block or stone.
What are Rapid City's backyard fire rules?
The Rapid City Fire Department publishes recreational fire guidelines for single-family homes and duplexes. In short:
- Container. The fire must be in a sound, hard-to-burn container: a fire ring, fire bowl, chiminea, fire pit or permanent outdoor fireplace.
- Fuel. Use the fuel the appliance is designed for, such as natural gas, propane or dry cut wood. No trash or yard waste, including grass and branches.
- Size. Wood stacked no larger than 3 feet across and 2 feet high. Larger burns need a permit.
- Distance. The department recommends at least 15 feet from trees, overhanging branches, walls, decks and patios.
- Fire district. Homes inside the Black Hills Fire Protection District need a permit to burn.
Fire bans and dangerous conditions can also stop backyard fires for a time, so check current conditions before you light one.
How does that shape the design?
The 15-foot guideline pushes the fire pit out into the yard rather than tucked against the house or deck. Many homeowners solve that with two connected spaces: a dining patio by the back door and a separate fire circle joined by a paver path. Keep the area around the pit clear of overhanging pine branches, and use pavers, gravel or rock rather than wood mulch around it. SDSU Extension recommends hardscape such as gravel, rock or concrete next to the house instead of wood mulch, and a fuel-free zone within 5 feet of the home, which fits naturally with a paver layout.
Gas or wood?
- Wood gives the classic campfire feel and needs a sturdy ring, a spark screen and a place to store firewood. SDSU Extension advises keeping firewood at least 30 feet from the house.
- Gas lights with a switch and makes less smoke and fewer sparks. The gas line and burner should be installed by a qualified gas installer following the manufacturer's instructions, and you should ask your city whether that work needs a permit.
What goes with a fire pit patio?
- Curved seat walls and caps that match the pavers
- Low-voltage lights in the walls and along the path
- A grill counter or pad near the kitchen door
- Steps or a low wall where the yard slopes
No two Black Hills yards are alike, so the contractor prices the job after walking the site, checking the soil, slope and access, and talking through the layout and pavers you have in mind. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Are wood fire pits allowed in Rapid City?
At single-family homes and duplexes, yes, within the fire department's recreational fire guidelines. Homes in the Black Hills Fire Protection District need a permit, and fire bans can apply.
How far should a fire pit be from my house?
The Rapid City Fire Department recommends at least 15 feet from trees, walls, decks and patios. A contractor can plan the layout around that.
Related services
More background: Rapid City paver patio guide.
Ready for a patio that handles Black Hills winters?
Call the number above and a paver contractor who works your side of the Hills will come look at the yard and quote the job.