Fire Regulations in San Francisco, CA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fireworks
San Francisco bans firing or discharging any fireworks anywhere in the city and county, with public displays allowed only by joint written consent of the Fire Marshal and Chief of Police.
Fireworks Discharge Ban in San Francisco
Heavy RestrictionsSan Francisco Police Code § 1290
No person or persons, firm, company, corporation or association shall fire or discharge any fireworks of any kind or description within the limits of the City and County of San Francisco. Provided, however, that public displays of fireworks may be given with the joint written consent of the Fire Marshal and the Chief of Police.
Brush Clearance
San Francisco Fire Code Section 4906 requires defensible space and vegetation management on properties adjacent to wildland-urban interface zones, including Mount Davidson, Twin Peaks, and Glen Canyon Park edges.
Defensible Space and Brush Clearance
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space — 100 Feet from 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... The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the str...
Outdoor Burning
San Francisco requires a Fire Department permit before anyone ignites or maintains an open outdoor fire anywhere in the city and county, under the Business and Tax Regulations Code.
San Francisco Open Outdoor Fire Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco, CA, Business and Tax Regulations Code art. 1, § 1.16 (Open Outdoor Fires)
SEC. 1.16. OPEN OUTDOOR FIRES. For maintaining or igniting open outdoor fires – by the Fire Department. (Added by Ord. 274-64, App. 10/16/64)
Wildfire Zones
San Francisco requires a Fire Department operational permit before anyone uses a torch or other open-flame device inside a designated wildfire risk area, covering hillside and open-space zones prone to wildland fire spread.
San Francisco Wildfire Risk Area Open-Flame Permit
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Fire Code § 105.5.37
105.5.37. [For SF] Open Flame and Torches. An operational permit is required to use a torch or open-flame device in a wildfire risk area.
Smoke Detectors
San Francisco Housing Code Section 1301 and California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 require working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor. Hardwired with battery backup is required for new construction; 10-year sealed battery alarms acceptable for existing single-family homes.
Smoke Detector Rules in San Francisco
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7(a)
13113.7. (a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. (2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or a...
Propane Storage
San Francisco requires a Fire Department operational permit to store or use LP-gas, with a narrow exception for one 20-pound cylinder kept outside a residential building for cooking.
San Francisco LP-Gas Storage Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Francisco Fire Code § 105.5.30
105.5.30. [For SF] LP-Gas (Liquified Petroleum Gas). An operational permit is required for storage and use of LP-gas. Exception: A permit is not required to use one LP-fueled cooking device per building or to store one additional cylinder with a 20 lb. (9.1 kg) aggregate water capacity outside of the building of residential occupancies.