Outdoor Fire Pit Installation in Ottawa
Ottawa’s outdoor season is short enough that anything you can do to extend it is worth doing. A fire pit, done properly, in the right location, with the right materials around it, is one of the most effective ways to get an extra six weeks out of your backyard. September evenings, cool May nights, Thanksgiving weekend: a fire pit changes how long you actually stay outside.
We build fire pit features as part of outdoor living projects in Ottawa, typically integrated into or adjacent to a stone patio. Whether you want a simple built-in fire bowl surrounded by armourstone, a formal gas fire table set into a seating wall, or a natural stone fire pit area with surrounding gravel and low walls, the goal is the same: a safe space, functional, that looks like it belongs there, and holds up through winter.
Types of Fire Features We Install
Built-in wood-burning fire pits
A built-in fire pit, typically a circular or rectangular structure set into the ground or built up slightly above grade, is the most common installation we do. We build the structure itself from armourstone, natural stone, or concrete block, size the opening appropriately for the space, and ensure the surround material is fire-rated and non-combustible. We recommend a gravel or stone surround for at least four feet in every direction to keep embers from contacting combustible materials.
Location matters. The standard guidance for Ottawa, and the City of Ottawa’s open-air burning rules, requires a fire at least three metres from
Gas fire features — tables, bowls, and inserts
Gas fire features run on natural gas or propane, light at the push of a button, produce no smoke, and require very little maintenance. They’re a cleaner option than wood burning, and they’re allowed in areas where open burning might otherwise be restricted. A gas fire table set into a seating wall is a striking focal point for a patio and genuinely functional; people use it more than a wood pit because it’s less effort.
Gas fire features require a licensed gas fitter for the final connection. We coordinate this as part of the project, we build the structure and stub out the connection point, and we work with a certified gas contractor for the line and final hookup.
Fire pit seating areas
The fire pit itself is often the least important part of the design; what makes a fire pit area work is the seating around it. We build armourstone or interlock seating walls at comfortable sitting height (typically 18 to 20 inches) that circle or flank the pit, creating a defined social space. Combine that with a flagstone or gravel surround and low planting on the perimeter, and you have a space that looks intentional rather than like a hole in the lawn with a ring of chairs around it.
Ottawa Regulations — What You Need to Know
Before installing a fire pit in Ottawa, a few things are worth knowing:
We’ll walk through what applies to your specific property and yard size during the quote visit and help you make an informed choice between wood and gas.
Integrating a Fire Pit into a Larger Outdoor Build
Most of the fire features we install are part of a full outdoor living project rather than a standalone addition. Common combinations:
- Interlock patio with a fire pit area defined at one end by a low seating wall
- Pergola over the patio with a fire pit just outside the covered area, shade for summer, fire for fall
- Gravel seating zone around a fire pit as a separate space from the main patio, giving you two distinct outdoor areas
- Raised garden beds framing the fire pit area to soften the hardscape and add seasonal colour
Designing the fire pit as part of the overall layout from the start, rather than adding it to an existing patio later, means everything is proportioned correctly, and the drainage, setback, and material choices are all considered together.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Ready to Talk Fire Features?
If you’re planning a backyard build and want to include a fire pit, or if you’re starting from the fire pit and working outward, call or text 613-795-2017. We serve Ottawa and the surrounding area — Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean, Stittsville, Manotick, Richmond, Carleton Place, and Almonte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wood-burning fire pits allowed in Ottawa?
Yes, in most residential areas, with conditions. The city’s open-air burning bylaw permits recreational fire pits that are properly constructed, supervised, and positioned at the required setback distances from structures and property lines. There are restrictions during high fire risk periods and certain weather conditions. We recommend checking the City of Ottawa’s current burning regulations and being a good neighbour about smoke.
What's better for a backyard — wood burning or gas?
Wood gives you the experience most people associate with a fire pit: real flame, crackling wood, and the smell. Gas gives you convenience, no smoke, no ash cleanup, and no restrictions related to burn bans. If you entertain regularly and want something people will actually use spontaneously, gas wins. If the experience of a real wood fire is important to you, build the wood pit properly and position it well away from the house.
Can a fire pit be added to an existing patio?
Often yes, depending on the space, setback distances, and what’s already there. A freestanding metal fire bowl can go almost anywhere on an existing surface. A built-in stone fire pit requires some excavation and construction that’s easier to incorporate during an original patio build, but it can be added later if the space works. Gas features require a line run, which is a separate consideration. We assess what’s feasible on a case-by-case basis.
Does a fire pit need a permit in Ottawa?
For a simple built-in wood fire pit, a permit is typically not required as long as it meets the city’s open-air burning bylaw setback requirements. Gas fire features that involve running a new gas line do require a licensed gas fitter and potentially a permit for the gas work. We’ll flag the right steps depending on what type of feature you choose.
