Fire Regulations in Fullerton, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Fullerton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Fullerton allows permanent or portable barbecues, gas outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, and gas grills at one- and two-family dwellings, but only when located at least 30 feet from grass, grain, brush, or forest-covered areas and away from the city's fuel modification areas.
Fire pits, BBQs, and patio fireplaces in Fullerton
Some RestrictionsFullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150
Outdoor, open or recreational fires using wood or other solid fuel shall not be built, ignited or maintained in the fuel modification area. Occupied one and two-family dwellings may have fires built in a permanent or portable barbeque, gas outdoor fireplace, fire pits, fire rings, or gas grill where they are a minimum of 30 feet from a grass, grain, brush, or forest-covered area.
Fireworks
Only California-State-Fire-Marshal-approved 'safe and sane' fireworks are legal in Fullerton, and only on July 4 between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. All other fireworks — including skyrockets, firecrackers, and aerial shells — are illegal under both city and California state law.
Safe and sane fireworks only on July 4 in Fullerton
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Health & Safety Code § 12677
It is unlawful for any person to possess dangerous fireworks without holding a valid permit.
Brush Clearance
Fullerton requires property owners to maintain defensible space by clearing dry vegetation. The Fullerton Fire Department enforces vegetation management standards, particularly in hillside areas and the wildland-urban interface.
Fullerton Brush & Vegetation Clearance
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291 (Defensible Space Requirements)
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 sha...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of vegetation, yard waste, and trash is effectively prohibited in Fullerton under South Coast AQMD Rule 444 and Fullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150. Only contained recreational fires meeting fuel, distance, supervision, and wind conditions are allowed, and SCAQMD no-burn alerts override even those.
Open burning generally prohibited; narrow recreational exception
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code § 4291
Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line.
Wildfire Zones
Portions of Fullerton in the northern hills near the Puente Hills and West Coyote Hills are designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE. Properties in these zones face additional building and landscaping requirements.
Fullerton Wildfire Hazard Zones & Fire Safety
Some RestrictionsSmoke Detectors
Fullerton enforces California Building and Fire Code requirements for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings. Smoke alarms are required in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level including basements. CO detectors are mandatory in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
Fullerton Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Fullerton at one- and two-family homes only if contained in an approved device (BBQ, fire pit, fire ring, gas grill, or outdoor fireplace), kept 30 feet from combustible vegetation, supervised by an adult with water on hand, and not used during winds over 8 MPH, red flag warnings, or SCAQMD no-burn alerts.
Backyard recreational fires — strict conditions in Fullerton
Some RestrictionsFullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150
Outdoor, open burning and recreational fires shall not be built, ignited or maintained when predicted sustained winds exceed 8 MPH at the ground level, or a red flag condition has been declared.
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fullerton city rules.
Fire Regulations in Orange County →