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Fire Regulations in Cupertino, CA (2026)

8 verified fire regulations for Cupertino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Fire Pit Rules

Cupertino has no separate fire-pit ordinance, so the adopted 2022 California Fire Code governs. Portable outdoor fireplaces cannot be used within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material, and all outdoor fires must be constantly attended with extinguishing equipment ready.

Cupertino Fire Pit and Outdoor Fireplace Rules

Some Restrictions

Fireworks

All fireworks, including state-approved Safe and Sane types, are banned in Cupertino. The Santa Clara County Fire Department enforces the prohibition citywide, consistent with a countywide ban across nearly all Santa Clara County cities. Only licensed public displays are allowed.

Cupertino Fireworks Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Brush Clearance

Cupertino requires property owners to clear hazardous weeds and brush under Municipal Code Chapter 9.08, enforced through the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program. In the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area, adopted Fire Code Chapter 49 mandates 30 to 100 feet of defensible space.

Cupertino Brush Clearance and Weed Abatement

Heavy Restrictions

Outdoor Burning

Open outdoor burning of yard waste and refuse is effectively prohibited in Cupertino. Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 5 bans residential yard-waste burning year-round, and the adopted California Fire Code requires a fire-code-official permit for any allowed open burning.

Cupertino Outdoor Burning Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Wildfire Zones

Cupertino's western foothills are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which CAL FIRE expanded to over 1,000 acres in 2025. The Santa Clara County Fire Department enforces adopted Fire Code Chapter 49 defensible-space rules across the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area.

Cupertino Wildfire Zones and Defensible Space

Heavy Restrictions

Smoke Detectors

Cupertino follows the California Residential and Fire Codes for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Homes need smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, plus carbon monoxide alarms where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist.

Cupertino Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules

Some Restrictions

Backyard Fires

Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Cupertino under the adopted 2022 California Fire Code, but must stay 25 feet from structures, be constantly attended, and never burn yard waste. Air-district Spare the Air burn bans prohibit wood fires on many winter days.

Cupertino Backyard and Recreational Fire Rules

Some Restrictions

Propane Storage

Cupertino limits liquefied petroleum gas storage under its adopted Fire Code. In residential and congested commercial areas, any single installation may not exceed 2,000 gallons water capacity, with small portable cylinders for heating and cooking allowed under safe handling.

Cupertino Propane and LPG Storage Limits

Some Restrictions

Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cupertino city rules.

Fire Regulations in Santa Clara County