Fire Regulations in Orange, CA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Orange, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Orange allows gas-fueled outdoor fireplaces and fire pits at Group R properties once the Building Division approves the device, requiring at least 3 feet of clearance from combustible construction at single-family homes (10 feet elsewhere), while wood-burning fire pits need an approved firebox, chimney spark arrestor, and 15-foot setback from combustible structures, and both types are barred from fuel modification zones and wildfire risk areas.
Orange Outdoor Fire Pit Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 15.32.020 (Fire Code §§ 307.6, 307.6.1, 307.6.2, 307.6.2.1)
307.6 Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar devices used at premises containing Group R Occupancies. [Added] Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings, or similar exterior devices used at premises containing Group R occupancies shall comply with this section. Exception: Barbeques, grills, and other portable devices intended solely for cooking shall comply with Chapter 41. 307.6....
Fireworks
Orange allows only State Fire Marshal-approved 'safe and sane' fireworks, and only for four days a year. Municipal Code Section 8.13.040 bans all other fireworks outright, while Section 8.13.050 confines safe and sane fireworks to licensed stands and strict discharge windows, distance buffers, and zoning limits enforced by the Fire Department.
Orange Safe and Sane Fireworks Rules
Significant RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8.13.040, 8.13.050
Except as provided in this chapter, no person shall possess, sell, use, display, or discharge any fireworks, including, but not limited to, any dangerous fireworks, altered safe and sane fireworks, or other combustible device or explosive substance or any kind of fireworks by another name. ... It shall be unlawful to possess, sell, display or discharge within the City those fireworks that are d...
Brush Clearance
The City of Orange requires vegetation management and brush clearance on properties within or adjacent to wildfire-prone areas under California Fire Code and the Orange City Fire Department standards. Property owners must maintain defensible space around structures.
Orange Brush Clearance Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Section 4291(a)(1)(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... The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure, wit...
Outdoor Burning
Orange bans open burning citywide unless it is constructed and approved under Fire Code Sections 307.1.1 through 307.6.2.1, forbids any wood or solid-fuel fire inside a fuel modification area, halts approved burning when sustained winds exceed 8 mph with humidity under 25% or a red flag warning is declared, and requires an adult 18 or older to supervise any permitted fire.
Orange Open Burning Prohibition
Significant RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 15.32.020 (Fire Code §§ 307.1, 307.1.2, 307.2.2, 307.4.4, 307.5.1)
307.1 General. [Amended] A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless constructed and approved in accordance with Sections 307.1.1 through 307.6.2.1. 307.1.2 Fuel modification areas. [Added] Outdoor fires using wood or other solid fuel shall not be built, ignited or maintained in a fuel modification area. 307.2.2 Hazardous conditions. [A...
Wildfire Zones
Portions of the City of Orange, particularly the Santiago Hills area, are within CAL FIRE-designated fire hazard severity zones. Properties in these zones are subject to enhanced building standards, defensible space requirements, and vegetation management mandates.
Orange Wildfire Hazard Zone Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Res. Code §§ 4201-4204; Cal. Gov. Code §§ 51175-89; 14 CCR § 1280
What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones? The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate High Very High The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Reg...
Smoke Detectors
Orange's fire code amendment makes apartment owners responsible for supplying, installing, testing, and maintaining every required smoke alarm before a new tenant moves in. Owners must poll each tenant on alarm condition every January, tenants must reply in writing by March 10, and owners must fix any reported alarm within 10 days. Records are kept three years.
Orange Apartment Smoke Alarm Maintenance Rule
Some RestrictionsOrange, CA, Municipal Code § 15.32.020 (amending Cal. Fire Code § 901.6.1.1)
901.6.1.1 Maintenance of smoke alarms in hotels/motels and apartment buildings. [Added] Installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in apartment buildings shall conform to the following: 1. Apartment building owners shall supply, install, test and maintain all required smoke alarms before renting to a new tenant. ... 2. The tenant shall be responsible for testing of all required smoke alarms i...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orange city rules.
Fire Regulations in Orange County →