Fire Regulations in Modesto, CA (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Modesto's local amendment to California Fire Code Section 307.4.2 prohibits recreational fires (including backyard wood-burning fire pits) except for religious ceremonies, and even those require a permit from the Fire Code Official.
Recreational Fires Prohibited Except Religious Ceremonies
Heavy RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 3-1.206 (Ord. No. 3802-C.S., § 1, eff. 1-8-26)
Section 307.4.2 of the 2025 California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Recreational Fire. Recreational Fire shall be prohibited except for religious ceremonies and shall comply with other regulation or prohibitions of other city municipal codes or uses. Permit required.
Fireworks
Only California State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks may be sold or used in Modesto, and only from noon June 28 through noon July 6 each year. All dangerous (aerial/explosive) fireworks are banned and the city imposes some of the steepest fines in California.
Safe-and-Sane Fireworks Allowed June 28 to July 6 Only
Heavy RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 3-1.219(1) (Ord. No. 3802-C.S., § 1, eff. 1-8-26)
Retail sale or display with the intent to sell fireworks is limited to State of California Fire Marshal approved and labeled 'Safe and Sane' fireworks within the City of Modesto... Fireworks may be sold or offered for sale from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. on June 28, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on June 29 through July 5, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on July 6.
Brush Clearance
Modesto sits on the Central Valley floor outside CAL FIRE's State Responsibility Area and is not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, so the wildland-urban-interface 100-foot defensible space rule of Public Resources Code 4291 does not generally apply. The city instead enforces brush, weed, and dead-vegetation clearance through Modesto Municipal Code 9-9.509 (Property Maintenance Code), with a 12-inch lawn-height threshold and Fire Prevention Bureau coordination.
fire/brush-clearance
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space Around Structures in State Responsibility Areas)
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 grass, weeds, agricultural trimmings, or other combustibles is prohibited in Modesto without a permit from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and permitted burning is restricted to agricultural land within city limits.
Open Burning Needs Air District Permit; Ag Only
Heavy RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 3-1.206 (amending CFC § 307.1; Ord. No. 3802-C.S., § 1, eff. 1-8-26)
No person shall kindle, conduct, or maintain any burning of grass, weeds, agricultural trimmings, or other combustibles... without a permit as required by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District... Any such permitted burning shall be restricted to agricultural purposes and confined to areas in the city limits in which agricultural uses are lawful or as regulated or prohibi...
Backyard Fires
Modesto bans backyard recreational fires outright (wood fire pits, chimineas, bonfires). Portable outdoor fireplaces (gas/propane appliances) are not categorically banned but remain subject to other city codes, and any fire that is allowed must be constantly attended with an extinguisher on hand.
Backyard Fires Banned; Portable Fire Appliances Restricted
Heavy RestrictionsModesto Municipal Code § 3-1.206 (amending CFC § 307.5; Ord. No. 3802-C.S., § 1, eff. 1-8-26)
Attendance. Open burning or use of portable outdoor fire places as used at one- and two-family dwellings shall be constantly attended until the fire extinguished. Not fewer than one portable fire extinguisher complying with section 906 with a 4A minimum rating and a water hose, water truck or medium of dirt/sand shall be immediately available.