Fire Regulations in Ventura, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Ventura, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Ventura's Fire Code amendments require an operational permit for open burning, including recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces on public ground, but exempt recreational fires and portable fireplaces kept on private property. Section 14.10.020(E), (L) also lets the fire code official ban all such fires citywide on red flag warning days or during high wind events.
Ventura Recreational Fire and Fire Pit Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 14.10.020(E), (L)
105.5.36 Open burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire, open burning, recreational fire, portable outdoor fireplace, or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to. Exception: Recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces on private property. .....
Fireworks
All fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, are banned in the City of Ventura. San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 10.852.020 bars anyone from selling, offering to sell, using or possessing fireworks or dangerous fireworks in the city, and makes a property owner or tenant liable if they knowingly allow it on their property.
Fireworks Ban in the City of Ventura
Heavy RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code §§ 10.852.020, 10.852.030
A. In addition to the provisions of Section 14.10.010 adopting the California Fire Code and Section 14.10.020(MM) prohibiting the manufacturing, possession, storage, sale, use and handling of fireworks, no person shall sell, offer to sell, use or have in their possession within the city any fireworks or dangerous fireworks, except as provided in Section 14.10.020(MM). B. Except as provided in S...
Brush Clearance
The City of Ventura requires anyone who owns, leases or controls land in a hazardous fire area to maintain a 100-foot firebreak around every building by clearing combustible material, under Appendix J, Section J105 of the wildland-urban interface amendments in Municipal Code Section 12.165.020; the fire code official can declare an uncleared parcel a public nuisance.
Brush Clearance Rules in Ventura
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.165.020, Appendix J104-J105
J104 Clearance of Brush, Vegetative Growth and Combustible Material from Parcels. All parcels declared a public nuisance shall be cleared entirely of combustible material. If the fire code official determines this impractical due to hazards posed by the resulting clearance, the provisions of Section J105 may be used. J105 Clearance of Brush and Vegetative Growth Away from Structures. Any person...
Outdoor Burning
In the City of Ventura, an operational fire permit is required before kindling any open fire, open burning, recreational fire, or portable outdoor fireplace on public streets, alleys, roads, or other public or private ground, per San Buenaventura Municipal Code § 14.10.020(E). Recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces on private property are exempt from the permit. Burning household rubbish is banned outright, and the fire code official can halt any fire when red flag or high-wind conditions raise wildfire risk.
Open Burning Permit Rules in Ventura
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 14.10.020(E), (L)
E. CFC Section 105.5.36 is amended to read as follows:105.5.36 Open burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire, open burning, recreational fire, portable outdoor fireplace, or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to. Exception: Recreational fires a...
Wildfire Zones
The City of Ventura designates Very High, High and Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones under San Buenaventura Municipal Code Section 12.165.020, adopting the CAL FIRE-mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA map effective July 1, 2025, and requiring vegetation management, defensible space and construction standards within the High and Very High zones.
Ventura Fire Hazard Severity Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.165.020
Section 302.2.1 is added to read as follows:Section 302.2.1 Establishment of limits. Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area’s required vegetation management, defensible space and construction methods shall be required in the High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of San Buenaventura. The City of San Buenaventura hereby designates Very High, High and Moderate Fire Hazard Sever...
Smoke Detectors
All residential dwellings in the City of Ventura must have smoke detectors installed per California Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7. Detectors are required in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.
City of Ventura Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7 (Smoke Alarms in Dwellings)
(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 after Janu...
Propane Storage
In High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of Ventura, Appendix Section J105.3 of the wildland-urban interface code amendments requires outbuildings and liquid propane gas storage tanks to keep 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil, plus an additional 10 feet free of flammable vegetation around their exterior.
Ventura Propane Tank Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Buenaventura Municipal Code § 12.165.020, Appendix J105.3(B)
F105.3 Other Requirements. A. Logs/Stumps. Logs or stumps embedded in the soil must be removed or isolated from other vegetation. B. Out Buildings/LPG. Outbuildings and Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) storage tanks shall have 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around their exterior, pursuant to 14 CCR Section 1299.03(c)(1).
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ventura city rules.
Fire Regulations in Ventura County →