Outdoor Burning: Burbank vs El Monte
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Burbank, CA and El Monte, CA?
Burbank and El Monte have similar restriction levels.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Open burning is prohibited in Burbank except by permit from the Fire Code Official for a short list of purposes. Burbank Municipal Code 9-1-9-307.1.1.1 (a local amendment adding to the adopted California Fire Code) authorizes open-burning permits only for fire-hazard abatement, city lot-burning crews, fire-fighting instruction, and certain sponsored gatherings, and all permits must comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District rules.
View full Burbank rules →El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
Open outdoor burning of trash, leaves, brush, or construction debris is effectively banned in El Monte: South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444 prohibits open burning in the South Coast Air Basin without an AQMD permit, and California Fire Code Section 307 (adopted by EMMC Chapter 15.34) bans recreational rubbish burning.
View full El Monte rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | BMC 9-1-9-307.1.1.1 (Open Burning General) | - |
| Permit required | Yes - from the Fire Code Official, limited purposes only | - |
| Hazard-abatement hours | 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon | - |
| Air quality | Must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations | - |
| Open burning permitted? | - | No - prohibited by SCAQMD Rule 444 and CFC 307.1.1 |
| Recreational fires | - | Allowed under CFC 307.4.2 with restrictions |
| Maximum criminal fine (CFC 109.4.1) | - | $1,000 + up to 6 months jail |
| AQMD civil penalty cap | - | Up to $11,710/day (H&SC 42402) |
| Permit authority | - | SCAQMD Open Burn Program + LA County Fire Code Official |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Can I burn yard waste or trash in my Burbank backyard?
No. Open burning is allowed only by Fire Code Official permit for the specific purposes listed in BMC 9-1-9-307.1.1.1 (such as fire-hazard abatement or fire-fighting instruction). General household or yard-waste burning is not a permitted purpose.
When can hazard-abatement burning happen?
Permitted open burning for removing a fire hazard that cannot be abated by other means is restricted to the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and must comply with South Coast AQMD rules.
El Monte FAQ
Can I burn leaves or yard waste in my El Monte backyard?
No. SCAQMD Rule 444 prohibits residential open burning of leaves, branches, paper, and trash anywhere in the South Coast Air Basin (which includes all of LA County). Yard waste goes in the green organics cart for collection.
Can I burn construction debris on a job site?
No. Open burning of construction debris is prohibited by SCAQMD Rule 444 and California Fire Code Section 307.1.1 as adopted by EMMC Chapter 15.34. Demolition and construction debris must be disposed of through licensed haulers.
What about a ceremonial bonfire?
A bonfire (anything larger than the 3-foot recreational fire limit in CFC 307.4.2) requires an open-burning permit from the fire code official under CFC Section 105.6.30 and, if not an exempt religious/ceremonial fire, separate SCAQMD authorization. Permits are rarely issued for residential bonfires in El Monte.
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