Fire Regulations in San Diego, CA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for San Diego, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
San Diego allows backyard recreational fires under San Diego Fire Code Section 511.0307 (adopting 2022 California Fire Code Section 307) when the fire is no more than 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall and at least 25 feet from any structure, or 15 feet for fires in an approved container or portable outdoor fireplace. Fires are banned during Red Flag warnings.
San Diego Backyard & Recreational Fires
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Fire-Rescue — Recreational Fires Policy
A recreational fire is an outdoor fire that is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height, for pleasure, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. Recreational fires under those definitions are permitted unless it is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor or...
Fireworks
All consumer fireworks are illegal in the City of San Diego under California Health & Safety Code 12689 and SDMC fire regulations. This includes sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles. Only professionally permitted displays are allowed.
San Diego Fireworks Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSDMC Chapter 5, Article 11 (California Fire Code as adopted by City)
The City of San Diego proposes local amendments to the Municipal Code necessary to implement the 2025 California Fire Code (CFC) and California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) which will be effective January 1, 2026. Local amendments are effective after approval by the City Council and final passage of ordinances necessary to codify updates to the Municipal Code. The City's Fire Code Regu...
Brush Clearance
San Diego requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in Very High Fire Severity Zones under SDMC 142.0412. Three fuel modification zones apply. Properties must be cleared by June 1 annually. New AB 3074 Zone 0 requirements (0-5 ft ember-resistant zone) effective 2027.
San Diego Brush Clearance & Defensible Space
Some RestrictionsCity of San Diego — Guide to Defensible Space: Property Owners
Brush management is divided into three fuel modification zones, extending 100 feet from any structure. Zone 0: 0-5 feet. Zone 1: 5-30 feet. Zone 2: 30-100 feet. Clearing brush and flammable materials in these areas is required by law for homes located within the city of San Diego's Very High Fire Severity Zones. [...] Zone 0 is the area within 5 feet of a home or building, including outbuilding...
Outdoor Burning
San Diego bans bonfires within 50 feet of a structure unless contained in a barbecue pit, and suspends all open burning citywide during a National Weather Service Red-Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch.
San Diego Open Burning and Bonfire Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Diego Municipal Code § 511.0307
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition... Open burning, including recreational fires and fires within portable outdoor fireplaces, shall not be permitted when a Re...
Wildfire Zones
San Diego has extensive Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) due to its canyon-rim topography and Santa Ana wind exposure. SDMC §142.0412 establishes a comprehensive brush management program with Zone 1 (0-35 ft from structures) requiring fire-resistant, maintained plantings and Zone 2 (35-100 ft) requiring 50% vegetation reduction. The Fire-Rescue Department conducts door-to-door brush assessments for properties along canyon rims in VHFHSZs.
San Diego Wildfire Hazard Zones
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code §§ 4201–4204 (CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones)
California's seasonally dry Mediterranean climate lends itself to wildfires, and in an effort to better prepare, CAL FIRE is required to classify the severity of fire hazard in areas of California. The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legi...
Smoke Detectors
San Diego enforces 2022 California Residential Code Section R314 and California Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 13114 through the San Diego Building Regulations (SDMC Chapter 14, Article 5). Smoke alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every story including basements, with hard-wiring and interconnection in new construction.
San Diego Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsCity of San Diego Fire-Rescue — Smoke Detectors (Safety Tips)
Install a smoke detector on each level of your home. The detector should be centrally located between the bedrooms. Place smoke detectors in each bedroom. If you, or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound. Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling mounted alarms shoul...
Looking for San Diego County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Diego city rules.
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