Fire Regulations in Santa Clara, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Santa Clara allows residential fire pits fueled by propane or natural gas. Wood-burning devices face Bay Area Air Quality Management District curfews during Spare the Air alerts.
Santa Clara Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsFireworks
All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal in the City of Santa Clara. Possession, sale, or discharge carries citations and fines enforced by SCPD and Santa Clara County Fire.
Santa Clara Fireworks Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBrush Clearance
Santa Clara is mostly on the valley floor and not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but nearby foothills trigger PRC 4291 defensible space for properties bordering wildland.
Santa Clara Brush Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code § 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, ...
Outdoor Burning
Open burning of yard waste, trash, or construction debris is prohibited in Santa Clara. Only small recreational fires and permitted cooking fires are allowed, subject to BAAQMD air rules.
Santa Clara Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Santa Clara is largely not mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but adjacent foothill communities are. Check the CAL FIRE map before building or landscaping near open space.
Santa Clara Wildfire Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsCAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal - Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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
California law requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of dwellings in Santa Clara. Carbon monoxide alarms are also mandatory.
Santa Clara Smoke Detector Rules
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Small backyard recreational fires are allowed in Santa Clara in a manufactured container, kept under 3 feet and 10 feet from structures. Larger bonfires are not permitted in residential yards.
Santa Clara Backyard Fire Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.
Fire Regulations in Santa Clara County →