Outdoor Burning: Carson vs Pomona
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Carson, CA and Pomona, CA?
Carson and Pomona 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 →Pomona, CA
Los Angeles County
Open burning is prohibited in Pomona under the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 444 and the California Fire Code adopted in Chapter 22. Recreational fire pits may be used with restrictions.
View full Pomona rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Code Section | - | Ch. 22 (Fire Prevention); SCAQMD Rule 444 |
| Open Burning | - | Prohibited |
| Fire Pits | - | Allowed with restrictions |
| Air District | - | SCAQMD |
| Fire Dept | - | (909) 620-2321 |
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.
Pomona FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in Pomona?
No. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited by SCAQMD Rule 444. All green waste must be disposed of through the city's waste collection services.
Are fire pits allowed in Pomona?
Manufactured gas or charcoal fire pits may be used in approved containers, maintaining required setbacks from structures and observing SCAQMD no-burn days.
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