Parker planning commission reviews fireworks ordinance, debates fire‑pit setbacks
May 28, 2026 | Parker, Collin County, Texas
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The City of Parker Planning and Zoning Commission on May 28 reviewed a council referral of Ordinance No. 201 concerning fireworks and fire prevention, with commissioners debating whether private fireworks displays should remain in the draft and how far fire pits must be set back from structures.
The commission’s chair framed the issue as a public‑safety question and suggested aligning the draft with model codes: "The recommendation would be to bump it from 15 feet to 25 feet in line with IFC section 307.4 and give Justin's department defensible code back standard," the chair said. Commissioners said they wanted more research and public input before deciding final distances.
A commissioner opposed allowing open burning at any lot size, saying: "Regardless of lot size, I don't think that we should do open burning, within the city limits." That speaker also urged removing the private‑display language if staff will not permit neighborhood shows. Staff reported that permits for devices tapped into a natural‑gas line would be handled through the city’s existing permitting process.
Commissioners debated treating two categories differently: contained, manufactured units (chimeneas, outdoor fireplaces, "solo stoves") and open ground‑level fire pits. The draft under consideration allowed a manufactured or permanently constructed pit up to 6 feet in diameter and set a 15‑foot setback in one spot; others on the commission proposed a 50‑foot setback for manufactured units and 250–300 feet for open pits. One commissioner who reviewed ordinances in about 10 peer cities found many set several‑hundred‑foot distances for open pits.
Public input relayed during the meeting included a constituent who argued a 300‑foot setback is excessive and suggested a 100‑foot setback for open burning if other safety requirements are met. Commissioners noted the urgency created by the approaching burn/fireworks season and asked staff and counsel for quick guidance.
No ordinance vote was taken. The commission agreed to collect comparative data, consult the city attorney, and return with concrete proposals on both the contained‑unit and open‑pit distances. Commissioners were asked to submit suggested language to staff (via Lily) ahead of the next meeting, scheduled for June 11.
The commission did approve routine business earlier in the meeting: the May 14, 2026 minutes were accepted by voice vote.
The commission’s chair framed the issue as a public‑safety question and suggested aligning the draft with model codes: "The recommendation would be to bump it from 15 feet to 25 feet in line with IFC section 307.4 and give Justin's department defensible code back standard," the chair said. Commissioners said they wanted more research and public input before deciding final distances.
A commissioner opposed allowing open burning at any lot size, saying: "Regardless of lot size, I don't think that we should do open burning, within the city limits." That speaker also urged removing the private‑display language if staff will not permit neighborhood shows. Staff reported that permits for devices tapped into a natural‑gas line would be handled through the city’s existing permitting process.
Commissioners debated treating two categories differently: contained, manufactured units (chimeneas, outdoor fireplaces, "solo stoves") and open ground‑level fire pits. The draft under consideration allowed a manufactured or permanently constructed pit up to 6 feet in diameter and set a 15‑foot setback in one spot; others on the commission proposed a 50‑foot setback for manufactured units and 250–300 feet for open pits. One commissioner who reviewed ordinances in about 10 peer cities found many set several‑hundred‑foot distances for open pits.
Public input relayed during the meeting included a constituent who argued a 300‑foot setback is excessive and suggested a 100‑foot setback for open burning if other safety requirements are met. Commissioners noted the urgency created by the approaching burn/fireworks season and asked staff and counsel for quick guidance.
No ordinance vote was taken. The commission agreed to collect comparative data, consult the city attorney, and return with concrete proposals on both the contained‑unit and open‑pit distances. Commissioners were asked to submit suggested language to staff (via Lily) ahead of the next meeting, scheduled for June 11.
The commission did approve routine business earlier in the meeting: the May 14, 2026 minutes were accepted by voice vote.
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