Outdoor Burning: Berkeley vs Sunol
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Sunol, CA?
Berkeley and Sunol have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley bans all outdoor burning of vegetation, yard waste, and debris. BAAQMD and BMC 9.24 prohibit open burning citywide; no burn permits are issued for residential properties.
View full Berkeley rules →Sunol, CA
Alameda County
Outdoor open burning is essentially prohibited in Alameda County under BAAQMD Regulation 5 Rules 3 and 6. Agricultural and prescribed burns require district permits and are limited to designated burn days. Residential yard waste burning is not allowed.
View full Sunol rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Sunol |
|---|---|---|
| Residential burning | Prohibited year-round | - |
| Burn permits | Not issued | - |
| BAAQMD fine | Up to 10,000 dollars/day | - |
| Green waste | Weekly curbside cart | - |
| Report | 1-800-334-ODOR | - |
| Yard waste burning | - | Prohibited |
| Agricultural burn | - | BAAQMD permit required |
| Burn day rule | - | Permissive days only |
| Fire season enforcement | - | CAL FIRE PRC 4423 |
| VHFHSZ | - | East foothills extra rules |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I burn a small pile of leaves?
No. Even a small pile violates BAAQMD Regulation 5 and BMC 9.24. Use your green waste cart or the transfer station. Fines start at several hundred dollars.
What about burning brush during vegetation management?
Not allowed. Berkeley requires chipping, hauling, or composting. BFD hosts free chipper days each spring for hillside residents.
Sunol FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my backyard?
No. Residential open burning of yard waste and trash is prohibited under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Use the county green waste curbside program.
What is a permissive burn day?
A day BAAQMD declares atmospheric dispersion is good enough for limited agricultural or prescribed burning. Check the daily status before any permitted burn.
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