Fire Regulations in Berkeley, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
In Berkeley's Wildland-Urban Interface areas, covering the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones plus the Panoramic and Grizzly Peak Mitigation Areas, a fire pit, portable barbecue, or outdoor fireplace can run without a permit only if it stays on an inhabited property and sits at least 30 feet from combustible material or nonfire-smart vegetation. Any other outdoor fire needs a written permit from the Fire Chief.
Berkeley Fire Pit Rules in Wildfire Zones
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 19.49.090, WUI Code Appendix A, Section A104.7.1
A104.7.1 General. Persons shall not build, ignite or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind for any purpose in or on any wildland-urban interface area, except by the authority of a written permit from the code official. Exception: Outdoor fires within inhabited premises or designated campsites where such fires are in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator, fire p...
Fireworks
Berkeley bans the possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of all fireworks, including State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks, anywhere in the city. Narrow exceptions exist only for licensed storage and handling, licensed manufacturing and testing, and professional pyrotechnics used in film, television, or stage productions under a fire department permit.
Fireworks Prohibited in Berkeley
Heavy RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code Section 19.48.100, CFC Section 5601.1.3 (Fireworks)
5601.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks, including fireworks which are classified as Safe and Sane fireworks by the California State Fire Marshal's Office, are prohibited within the City of Berkeley. Exceptions: 1. Storage and handling of fireworks as allowed in Section 5604. 2. Manufacture, assembly and testing of fireworks as allowed in Se...
Brush Clearance
Properties in the Berkeley Hills VHFHSZ must maintain 100 feet of defensible space per PRC 4291. Berkeley Fire runs annual inspections and non-compliance triggers abatement at owner cost.
Berkeley Brush Clearance 100-Foot Defensible Space
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code § 4291
(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall con...
Outdoor Burning
Berkeley bars any outdoor fire in its mapped Wildland-Urban Interface areas, the hillside fire hazard zones above the flatlands, unless the person burning holds a written permit from the Fire Chief. Burning rubbish, trash, or combustible waste in a barbecue, fireplace, incinerator, or fire pit is prohibited outright, permit or no permit.
Berkeley Open Burning Ban in Fire Zones
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 19.49.090, WUI Code Appendix A, Sections A104.7.1 and A104.7.3
A104.7.1 General. Persons shall not build, ignite or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind for any purpose in or on any wildland-urban interface area, except by the authority of a written permit from the code official. A104.7.3 Restrictions. Persons shall not use a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator, fire pit or grill for the disposal of rubbish, trash or comb...
Wildfire Zones
Berkeley designates four Wildland-Urban Interface areas, the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones plus the Panoramic and Grizzly Peak Mitigation Areas, all mapped by specific street segments in the Berkeley hills. Buildings inside these zones must meet the Wildland-Urban Interface Code's construction, roofing, and vegetation-management rules that the flatlands do not.
Berkeley Wildfire Hazard Zone Boundaries
Significant RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code Section 19.49.040, WUI Code Sections 302.3, 302.3.2, 302.4
302.3 WUI Areas in Berkeley. The High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, Panoramic Mitigation Area, and Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area are designated as Wildland-Urban Interface Area (WUI) and are described as follows: 302.3.2 HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE. Encompasses those areas identified as High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, locally amended and designated by ordina...
Smoke Detectors
Berkeley requires working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and story, plus CO alarms near sleeping areas. Required at sale, rental turnover, and with any permit.
Berkeley Smoke and CO Detector Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 13113.7
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. (2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after Janu...
Propane Storage
Berkeley bars storing any LP-gas cylinder over 2.5 pounds water capacity, or any portable propane tank, inside a building classified Assembly (A), Residential R-1, R-2, or R-4, unless the fire code specifically authorizes it. The limit targets indoor storage in multi-unit and congregate housing rather than single-family homes.
Berkeley LP-Gas Storage Restrictions
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code Section 19.48.120, CFC Section 6104.1.1 (Restrictions on Storage of LP-Gas Containers)
6104.1.1 Restrictions on storage of LP-gas containers. It shall be unlawful to store any liquefied petroleum gas cylinder with a capacity greater than 2-1/2 lbs. water capacity or a portable tank within any structure or building with an occupancy classification of A, R-1, R-2 or R-4, unless specifically authorized by this Code.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Fire Regulations in Alameda County →