Outdoor Burning: Burbank vs Carson
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Burbank, CA and Carson, CA?
Burbank has fewer restrictions than Carson.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Outdoor burning in Burbank is subject to South Coast AQMD no-burn days and seasonal restrictions (November–February). Open burning of household trash is prohibited. Gas fire pits are generally permitted.
View full Burbank rules →Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Open burning of yard waste, trash, or construction debris is prohibited. Carson sits inside the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where SCAQMD Rule 444 bans most open outdoor fires, and the California Fire Code §307 (adopted via LA County Title 32) requires LACoFD permission for any non-recreational open fire.
View full Carson rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Carson |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | South Coast AQMD | - |
| No-Burn Season | November – February (seasonal) | - |
| Gas Fire Pits | Permitted year-round | - |
| Trash Burning | Prohibited | - |
| Open burning | - | Prohibited (SCAQMD Rule 444 + CFC §307.1 requires permit) |
| Recreational fire exception | - | Wood fire ≤3 ft × 2 ft, 25 ft from structures (CFC §307.4) |
| Burn barrels | - | Prohibited |
| No-burn days | - | SCAQMD Rule 445 — Nov 1 to Feb 28 'Check Before You Burn' |
| Penalty | - | AQMD civil penalty up to $1,000/day per HSC §42400 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard in Burbank?
Outdoor burning in Burbank is subject to South Coast AQMD no-burn days and seasonal restrictions (November–February). Open burning of household trash is prohibited. Gas fire pits are generally permitted.
Do I need a permit for outdoor burning in Burbank?
Authority: South Coast AQMD. No-Burn Season: November – February (seasonal). Gas Fire Pits: Permitted year-round. Trash Burning: Prohibited.
Carson FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my yard in Carson?
No. SCAQMD Rule 444 prohibits open burning of yard waste anywhere in the South Coast Basin, which includes Carson. Yard waste must go in the city's green-waste collection.
Are bonfires allowed?
Only small recreational fires meeting California Fire Code §307.4 (≤3 ft diameter, 25 ft setback, attended, clean wood fuel). Larger bonfires require an open-burning permit from LACoFD, which is rarely granted in this air basin.
What is a no-burn day?
Under SCAQMD Rule 445, residential wood burning is banned on poor-air-quality days from November through February. Check arb.ca.gov or aqmd.gov for daily status before lighting a wood fire.
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