Fire Regulations in Fresno, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Backyard fire pits, fire rings, burn bowls and chimineas are legal in Fresno for cooking or recreation, but the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4901 prohibits operating any outdoor wood-burning device on declared 'Check Before You Burn' curtailment days from November 1 through February. Fresno is a Rule 4901 'hot spot' county with the strictest curtailment thresholds.
Fire pits banned on air-district curtailment days
Significant RestrictionsSJVAPCD Rule 4901, sections 3.14 and 5.7 (rev. 5/18/2023)
3.14 Outdoor Wood Burning Device: any wood burning fireplace, or other device designed to burn wood, and that is located outside of a building or structure. This includes, but is not limited to, burn bowls, fire rings/pits, and chimineas. This does not include fire pits at state parks, national parks, or national forests. ... 5.7 Episodic Wood Burning Curtailment. This section shall be in effec...
Fireworks
Unlike most California cities, Fresno permits state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks bearing the State Fire Marshal seal. They may be used year-round between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., with extended hours to midnight from June 28 through July 6. All other (dangerous) fireworks are illegal and carry escalating administrative fines starting at $2,000.
Safe and sane fireworks allowed; illegal ones fined
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Fresno Fire Dept., Fireworks Information (implementing Fresno Municipal Code section 10-55602)
Safe and Sane fireworks, in the City of Fresno, 365 days a year between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. except for period of June 28th to July 6th when use and discharge will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. ... Only purchase and use 'Safe and Sane' fireworks. If the item does not have this State of California Fire Marshal (SFM) seal, it is considered illegal. ... ...
Brush Clearance
Within the City of Fresno, fruit stands, retail sales lots and Christmas tree lots are not allowed to burn for any reason and may not use wood stoves, portable fireplaces, chimineas, burn barrels or incinerators; propane-fired or electric heaters are recommended instead. This complements the citywide open-burning ban that protects against fire spread to dry vegetation.
Fruit stands and sales lots barred from any burning
Light RestrictionsFresno City Fire Dept. SOP 202.006, Outside Fires (rev. 04/19/2023), p.2
Fruit Stands: Fruit stands are not allowed to burn for any reason. Wood burning heating devices such as wood stoves, portable fireplaces, chimaeras, burn barrels, or incinerators are prohibited. Propane-fired or electric heaters are recommended by fire protection agencies. Retail Sales Lots: Retail sales lots are not allowed to burn for any reason... Christmas Tree Farms/Lots: Christmas tree lo...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning is prohibited within the City of Fresno except with an operational permit issued under the Fresno Municipal Code and San Joaquin Valley Air District rules, or for limited cooking, campfire and religious-ceremonial fires using clean dry wood or charcoal. Burning trash is always illegal. Company officers may extinguish any non-compliant fire on the spot.
Open burning prohibited without permit in Fresno
Heavy RestrictionsFresno City Fire Dept. SOP 202.006, Outside Fires (rev. 04/19/2023); FMC section 10-50307.1.1
No open burning is permitted within the Department's response area with the following exceptions: 1. Open burning with an operational permit from the City of Fresno, in accordance with Fresno Municipal Codes (FMC) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD). 2. Open outdoor fires used solely for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption, campfires, and religious ...
Wildfire Zones
Fresno Fire Department policy authorizes officers to halt any otherwise-allowed outdoor fire when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make it hazardous, providing a local wildfire/red-flag safeguard. The San Joaquin Valley Air District separately ties wood-burning restrictions to forecast PM2.5 levels, with Fresno County facing the strictest hot-spot thresholds.
Hazardous open burning extinguished on hazard days
Some RestrictionsFresno City Fire Dept. SOP 202.006, Outside Fires (rev. 04/19/2023); FMC section 10-50307.1.1
In any case, such fires shall not be allowed if found to be offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. (FMC Section 10-50307.1.1, Prohibited Open Burning). Company officers are authorized to order or effect the immediate extinguishment of any open burning when in the opinion of the fire code official or ...
Smoke Detectors
California Health and Safety Code §13113.7 and FMC Chapter 15 require smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every story of dwellings. Fresno Fire enforces installation and maintenance at resale, rental, and at STR permit inspection. Alarms must be 10-year sealed lithium or hardwired with battery backup for alarms installed since 2014.
Smoke Detector Rules in Fresno
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 Janua...
Propane Storage
Fresno's local Fire Code amendments require a construction permit before anyone installs or modifies an LP-gas system or tank once it holds more than 124 gallons, and require full construction documents submitted to the fire code official once a single tank or combined tank capacity tops 125 gallons.
Fresno LP-Gas Storage Construction Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsFresno Municipal Code §§ 10-50105.6.15, 10-56101.3 (Fire Code 105.6.16, 6101.3)
105.6.16. LP-gas. A construction permit is required for the installation of or any modification to any LP-gas system or tank with a capacity (single or in aggregate) in excess of 124 gallons. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a permit. ... 6101.3. Construction Documents. Where a single LP-gas container or the aggregate...
Looking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Fire Regulations in Fresno County →