Fire Regulations in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Backyard burning of leaves, weeds, grass clippings, shrubbery, and tree prunings is prohibited in Santa Maria by Santa Barbara County APCD. The only routine backyard fires allowed are CFC 307.4.2 recreational fires (3 ft x 2 ft, 25 ft setback) and CFC 307.4.3 portable outdoor fireplaces. The Fire Chief can stop any backyard fire that becomes a hazard or nuisance.
Backyard wood fires limited to recreational fires and fireplaces
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Barbara County APCD - Open Burning regulations (Rule 312)
Backyard burning of leaves, weeds, grass clippings, shrubbery and tree prunings is prohibited within the incorporated cities of Solvang, Santa Maria and Lompoc.
Fireworks
Santa Maria is one of the few California cities where State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks are legal. Residents may discharge them only on July 4 between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. All 'dangerous fireworks' (firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, M-80s, sky rockets) remain illegal year-round under California Health & Safety Code section 12505.
Safe-and-Sane fireworks legal only July 4, 11am-11pm
Significant RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code section 12529
'Safe and sane fireworks' means any fireworks that have been approved by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and that have been carefully examined and tested by the State Fire Marshal and determined by the State Fire Marshal that the fireworks meet and are in compliance with the general and specific standards for design, construction, performance, and labeling for safe and sane...
Brush Clearance
Santa Maria sits in the relatively flat Santa Maria Valley, largely outside CAL FIRE's high or very-high Fire Hazard Severity Zones, so the 100-foot defensible-space clearance under California Public Resources Code section 4291 does not blanket-apply within city limits. Properties on the city's east and southeast wildland-urban interface may fall in a designated Local Responsibility Area FHSZ and should consult Santa Maria Fire Prevention.
California PRC 4291 defensible space (limited LRA applicability)
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code section 4291(a)(1)
A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or any land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but no...
Outdoor Burning
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 9-28 amends California Fire Code Section 307.1 to prohibit open burning within city limits, except for recreational fires (CFC 307.4.2), portable outdoor fireplaces (CFC 307.4.3), or under a single-use permit issued by the Fire Chief. Santa Barbara County APCD separately prohibits backyard burning of leaves, weeds, and yard waste in incorporated Santa Maria.
Open burning prohibited in city limits
Significant RestrictionsSanta Barbara County APCD - Open Burning Rules (Rule 312) / Santa Maria Municipal Code section 9-28.040
Burning waste of any kind in an open fire is prohibited, except 1) to dispose of waste produced by commercial agricultural operations, which must be done under strict conditions, and 2) backyard burning of plant trimmings and leaves allowed in specific areas by permit and under strict conditions. Backyard burning of leaves, weeds, grass clippings, shrubbery and tree prunings is prohibited withi...
Smoke Detectors
Santa Maria's Mechanical Code amendment requires an independent special inspection whenever smoke detectors are installed as part of a smoke damper or HVAC shutoff system. The rule doesn't set a bedroom-by-bedroom household alarm count; instead it targets detectors wired to control building air-handling equipment, requiring third-party testing and a Professional Engineer's sealed report before the City signs off.
Santa Maria Smoke Detector Special Inspection Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 9-40.040 (Subsection 105.2.7.1, California Mechanical Code, 2025 Edition)
105.2.7 Special Inspections Required. 105.2.7.1 Smoke Detectors. Special inspection shall be required for the installation of smoke detectors associated with smoke dampers and/ or H.V.A.C. shutoffs. The detectors shall be tested by an approved testing agency or a qualified third-party Special Inspector. The Special Inspector/Testing Agency shall be an independent third party individual or firm ...
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Fire Regulations in Santa Barbara County →