Fire Regulations in Ventura, CA (2026)
8 verified fire regulations for Ventura, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Recreational fires in Ventura are governed by the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted by the City under San Buenaventura Municipal Code (SBMC) Division 10 (Fire and Hazardous Material Regulations). CFC §307 limits open recreational fires to fuel piles no larger than 3 ft in diameter by 2 ft high, requires a 25-ft clearance from structures and combustibles, and prohibits burning when winds or air-quality alerts warrant. Portable outdoor fireplaces and gas/propane fire pits using listed appliances and approved fuel are permitted at residences with reduced clearance under CFC §307.4.3. The Ventura Fire Marshal may prohibit any open flame during Red Flag Warnings or when fire-hazard conditions exist (CFC §307.1.1).
Recreational Fires & Fire Pits in Ventura
Some RestrictionsFireworks
All fireworks — including 'safe and sane' state-approved fireworks — are illegal to possess, sell, use, store, or handle within the City of Ventura. The City confirms on its official Fireworks page: 'It is illegal to possess, store, sell, use, or handle fireworks in the City of Ventura.' Violators face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail. A Social Host provision also holds property owners, tenants, and hosts liable if illegal fireworks are used on their property when they knew or should have known. Reports may be made to the 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010 or anonymously to Ventura County Crime Stoppers (rewards up to $1,000 for adult sellers to minors).
Fireworks Banned in the City of Ventura
Heavy RestrictionsBrush Clearance
Property owners within Ventura's High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must MAINTAIN (not clear-cut) 100 ft of defensible space around structures by June 1 each year, under the City's Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) and Public Resources Code §4291. All dead and dying vegetation must be removed per California Fire Code standards. The program is authorized by California Fire Code, California Government Code, California Public Resources Code, and the Natural Resources Code. Annual billing was cancelled in December 2022 — there is no longer a program fee — but the maintenance obligation and inspection process continue.
Brush Clearance / Defensible Space — Ventura Fire Hazard Reduction Program
Heavy RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Open outdoor burning of trash, leaves, brush, or construction debris is prohibited in Ventura. The California Fire Code §307 (adopted via SBMC Division 10) requires a permit from the fire code official for any open burning; the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD) regulates agricultural and prescribed burning and issues 'no-burn' days, and the District prohibits open burning of residential waste, leaves, prunings, and construction debris under Rule 56. Recreational fires meeting CFC §307.4.2 size limits (≤3 ft × 2 ft, 25 ft clearance, attended) are allowed except on no-burn days. Burning on a Red Flag Warning or VCAPCD no-burn day is independently citable.
Outdoor / Open Burning Restrictions in Ventura
Heavy RestrictionsWildfire Zones
Significant portions of the City of Ventura — particularly the hillsides north and east of downtown — are mapped as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) by CAL FIRE under Government Code §51178 and Public Resources Code §4202. Parcels in these zones must comply with PRC §4291 100-ft defensible space, California Building Code Chapter 7A wildfire-resistant construction (CBC §701A et seq.) for new construction and substantial remodels, and the City's Fire Hazard Reduction Program. The City publishes an interactive Wildfire Hazard Zone map (cityofventura.maps.arcgis.com). The 2017 Thomas Fire — California's then-largest recorded wildfire — burned just east of city limits, underscoring the WUI risk along Ventura's foothills.
Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones in Ventura (FHSZ)
Heavy RestrictionsCAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Public Resources Code 4201-4204; CCR Title 14, Section 1280; Government Code 51175-89)
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
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...
Backyard Fires
Ventura adopts the California Fire Code through SBMC Title 14 Chapter 14.10, which controls backyard recreational fires under CFC Section 307. Fires must be no more than 3 feet across and 2 feet high, used between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and the fire code official may prohibit them on Red Flag or high-wind days.
Ventura Backyard Recreational Fire Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPropane Storage
Propane (LP-Gas) storage in Ventura is governed by California Fire Code Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases), adopted by reference under SBMC Division 10 (Fire and Hazardous Material Regulations), plus NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) as referenced by the CFC. Containers ≤ 5 lb LP-Gas (about 1 gallon water capacity) used for portable devices are minimally regulated. Containers from 5–125 lb (BBQ-style 20-lb / 30-lb / 40-lb cylinders) may be stored at one- and two-family dwellings with location and clearance limits per CFC §6104 and Table 6104.3. A CFC Operational Permit is required for storage or use exceeding statutory thresholds, and tanks > 125 gal water capacity require setbacks from buildings, lot lines, and ignition sources per CFC Table 6104.3.
Propane / LPG Storage Rules in Ventura
Some RestrictionsLooking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ventura city rules.
Fire Regulations in Ventura County →