Outdoor Burning: Carson vs Pasadena
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Carson, CA and Pasadena, CA?
Carson and Pasadena have similar restriction levels.
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 →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena prohibits open burning under South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444 and the California Fire Code. Burning trash, yard waste, and debris is illegal. Agricultural burning requires AQMD permits.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Open Burning | - | Prohibited |
| Authority | - | SCAQMD Rule 444 + CA Fire Code |
| No-Burn Days | - | AQMD may declare restrictions |
| AQMD Fine | - | Up to $1,000/day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Pasadena FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in Pasadena?
No. Open burning is prohibited under SCAQMD Rule 444 and the California Fire Code. Use city green waste collection instead.
What about a campfire in my backyard?
Recreational fires in approved containers may be allowed under specific conditions, but are subject to AQMD no-burn day restrictions.
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