DIY firepits: City of Bellevue approved.

Our housewarming BBQ this weekend was a big success. Much of which can be attributed to the last minute installation of a diy firepit in our backyard.

It brought up a lot of questions; however, about the legality of a firepit within the city limits of Bellevue, WA. Here's the official word from the City of Bellevue, I've bolded and italicized the relevant part (and italicized my comments):

Can I burn outdoors?heck yeah you can. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regulates indoor and outdoor burning in the urban areas of King County. The Bellevue Fire Department works closely with PSCAA to help enforce regulations specifically concerning outdoor burning. Small, recreational fires are allowed with restrictions. Open burning is prohibited in Bellevue.

Open Burning Defined
The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudgepots or similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses. A chamber is considered enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open. Open burning is prohibited at all times within the city limits and other areas served by the Bellevue Fire Department.

Recreational Fires Defined
A small outdoor fire made for pleasure, warmth, cooking or for religious, ceremonial or similar purposes, burning materials other than rubbish, where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Fires lit in chimneys, fire pits, fire bowls or similar free-standing devices are also considered “recreational” and should use only charcoal, dried firewood or manufactured logs.

Outside of a PSCAA regulated burn ban, a small "recreational fire" is allowed, without a permit, with the following restrictions: most of which we followed.
1. Shall not be within 25 feet of a structure or any combustible material(s). true.
2. Conditions which would cause a fire to potentially spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to igniting the fire. done and done.

The burning of yard debris, construction materials or trash is not allowed at any time. The Garbage and Recycling Services web page tells you how debris can be picked up through normal disposal. For more information on indoor and outdoor burning restrictions, call PSCAA at (206) 343-8800.