Rochester Stoneworks · Service
Stone Fire Pits in Rochester, NY
A built-in stone fire pit is one of the smaller projects on this list dollar-for-dollar, but it's also the one most likely to run into a permit question homeowners didn't see coming. Monroe County and most of its municipalities regulate fire pit size and setback distance, and building without checking first risks a fine plus a remediation order on a project that otherwise takes a few days.
Typical price
$1,800–$4,800 depending on size, fuel type, and stone
Season
April – October
What's included
- Fire-brick interior with high-temperature mortar
- Site-set 4–6 ft outer diameter (seating-friendly)
- Optional gas ring with manual or electronic ignition
- Cap stones sized for sitting on the rim
- Permit handled where required
Permits and setbacks — check before you build
Most Monroe County municipalities require a permit for built fire pits over roughly 24–36 inches in diameter, and nearly all specify a minimum 10-foot setback from any structure. Rules vary by town — Victor, Penfield, and Webster in particular run somewhat more restrictive versions of the county baseline — so this is a check-your-specific-town-code step, not a one-size-fits-all answer. Permit fees typically run $40–$60 and approval takes one to two weeks; a contractor typically handles the application when a permit is required and confirms the threshold in the quote.
Sizing it so people actually use it
A fire bowl sized for 6–8 adults needs a 14–18 foot outer seating diameter around a 4–6 foot fire bowl — undersizing the bowl relative to the seating area is the most common design mistake, and it's the difference between a fire pit that gets used weekly and one that's too small to gather around comfortably. Footings for the fire pit base need to reach below Monroe County's 42–48 inch frost depth, or the footing heaves seasonally and cracks the stone surround — the same frost-depth logic that governs retaining walls applies here.
Wood-burning vs. gas
Wood-burning fire pits need a fire-brick interior lined with high-temperature refractory mortar — standard masonry mortar isn't rated for direct flame contact and fails within a season or two. Gas fire pits need a line rough-in from a licensed plumber or gas-fitter before the mason sets any stone, which means gas installations need to be scheduled with that coordination built into the timeline from the start, not added after the stonework is finished. Most fire pit projects run $1,800–$4,800 depending on size, fuel type, and stone selection.
The two mortar systems in one structure
A fire pit is really two separate builds joined together: the fire brick interior, which needs to move and expand with sustained heat cycling, and the outer stone surround, which is a conventional exterior masonry structure exposed to Rochester winters like any other. The outer stone needs expansion accommodation so that thermal cycling in the fire brick lining doesn't transfer stress to the surround and crack it from the inside — a detail that's easy to miss if the same mortar system is used for both layers instead of two purpose-built ones.
Rochester companies that do this work
See the full ranked list on the Rochester Stoneworks directory.
How this fits the bigger picture
This is one of 7 masonry and natural stonework services we cover. For full pricing context — material types, factors that move the number, and how Rochester rates compare — see the pricing guide. To find a vetted local provider, see the directory.