Fire Regulations in Petaluma, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Petaluma, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Outdoor barbecues, fireplaces and fire pits in Petaluma must meet the standards the Fire Department has adopted for their use, under an amendment the city added to its 2025 California Fire Code. The Fire Prevention Bureau enforces the standard and can act under the Fire Code's general violation penalties.
Petaluma Outdoor Fire Pit and BBQ Rule
Some RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code § 17.20.050 (Fire Code §307.1.2)
Section 307.1.2 is added to read as follows:307.1.2 Use of Outdoor BBQs, Fireplaces and Fire Pits. The use of outdoor BBQs, fireplaces and fire pits shall meet the requirements set forth in the Petaluma Fire Department’s standards.
Fireworks
Petaluma Municipal Code section 17.20.070 bans the possession, sale, use or discharge of any fireworks anywhere in the city, with the only exception being a professional pyrotechnic display that has received a fire code permit. A companion penalty amendment in section 17.20.050 lets the city impose a separate administrative fine for every violation found on residential property.
Petaluma Fireworks Ban and Display Permits
Heavy RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code §§ 17.20.050 (Fire Code § 113.4(c)), 17.20.070 (Fire Code §§ 5608.1.2, 5608.2)
(c) Because of the serious threat of fire or injury posed by the use of "Dangerous Fireworks" ... this Article imposes liability upon the owners of residential real property for all violations of this code existing on their residential real property. Each contiguous use, display and/or possession shall constitute a separate violation and shall be subject to a separate administrative fine. ... S...
Brush Clearance
Petaluma's hazardous vegetation and rubbish abatement ordinance, Chapter 10.70, declares all hazardous vegetation and combustible material on real property in the city a public nuisance because of the wildfire risk it poses. That covers dry grass, brush, chaparral and other flammable growth, and the fire chief can order it removed and bill the cost to the property owner.
Petaluma Wildfire Brush Clearance Ordinance
Some RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code §§ 10.70.010, 10.70.020(C)
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "hazardous vegetation and rubbish abatement ordinance." The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible material situated on real property so as to reduce the potential for fire and to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the community. ... Petaluma generally has a climate conducive...
Outdoor Burning
Petaluma prohibits burning or burying garbage anywhere within city limits under PMC § 8.16.140. The only carve-out is combustible garbage burned indoors in a stove built for that purpose, and only to the extent other laws still allow it; a garbage grinder that discharges through the sewer is separately permitted.
Petaluma Ban on Burning or Burying Garbage
Heavy RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code § 8.16.140
No person shall burn or bury garbage within the city, except that combustible garbage may be disposed of by burning inside of buildings in stoves for that purpose to the extent now or hereafter permitted by laws, ordinances or regulations. Nothing herein contained shall prevent or prohibit the disposition of garbage by means of domestic garbage grinders or dispensers located in residences where...
Wildfire Zones
Petaluma designates Fire Hazard Severity Zones using the Cal Fire map adopted under Government Code Section 51178, and Chapter 3 of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code applies to newly constructed buildings inside those zones. The fire chief maintains the official 'Petaluma Fire Hazard Severity Zones' map, posted online and on file at the Fire Prevention Bureau, and updates it as Cal Fire's statewide map changes.
Petaluma Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones
Some RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code § 17.20.040
17.20.040 Establishment of fire hazard severity zone(s) (FHSZs). A. Limits Related to Chapter 3 of the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code as Amended and Adopted by the City of Petaluma. Chapter 3 shall apply to all real property with newly constructed buildings within the city of Petaluma located within the FHSZ as designated by the chief and the map published by Cal Fire and as amen...
Smoke Detectors
Petaluma requires a smoke alarm outside every separate sleeping area, inside every room used for sleeping, and on every story of a dwelling unit, hardwired with battery backup, under the residential maintenance standards of Section 1.10.085(X).
Petaluma Smoke Alarm Placement Rule
Some RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code § 1.10.085(X)
X. Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in all buildings, common areas, or portions thereof used, designed, or intended to be used for human habitation. During construction, smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as require...
Propane Storage
Within districts where the law restricts liquefied petroleum gas storage to protect heavily populated areas, Petaluma caps any single LP-gas installation at 2,000 gallons of water capacity. The Fire Code Official can set a different limit for a particular installation after reviewing site-specific hazard factors.
Petaluma LP-Gas Storage Capacity Limit
Some RestrictionsPetaluma Municipal Code § 17.20.050 (Fire Code §6104.2)
Section 6104.2 is amended to read as follows:6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons in any area as established by applicable land-use and z...
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