Fire Regulations in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Sunnyvale allows residential recreational fire pits fueled by clean natural gas or propane. Wood-burning outdoor fires are heavily restricted under BAAQMD Regulation 6 Rule 3 and Sunnyvale Fire Code.
Fire Pit Rules in Sunnyvale
Heavy RestrictionsFireworks
All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal to possess, sell, or discharge in Sunnyvale. Santa Clara County has a countywide ban and Sunnyvale enforces strict fines starting at 1000 dollars.
Fireworks Rules in Sunnyvale
Heavy RestrictionsBrush Clearance
Sunnyvale requires property owners to maintain defensible space and remove dead vegetation as a fire hazard. The city conducts annual weed abatement inspections under Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 9.48.
Brush Clearance Rules in Sunnyvale
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, and construction debris is prohibited in Sunnyvale. BAAQMD Regulation 5 bans agricultural and residential burning across the Bay Area including Santa Clara County.
Outdoor Burning Rules in Sunnyvale
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Sunnyvale is not located in any Cal Fire Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city sits on the flat Santa Clara Valley floor without wildland-urban interface areas requiring special fire hardening.
Wildfire Zones in Sunnyvale
Few RestrictionsCAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PRC §§ 4201-4204; 14 CCR § 1280; Gov. Code §§ 51175-51189)
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 Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 an...
Smoke Detectors
Sunnyvale enforces the California Building Code and State Health and Safety Code requiring working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level of a home. Detectors must be hardwired in new construction.
Smoke Detector Rules in Sunnyvale
Heavy RestrictionsBackyard Fires
Small recreational fires in approved fire pits or chimineas are allowed in Sunnyvale backyards using clean fuel. Open ground fires and debris burning are prohibited under the Fire Code and BAAQMD rules.
Backyard Fire Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Fire Regulations in Santa Clara County →