Outdoor Burning: Carson vs Santa Monica
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Carson, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Carson and Santa Monica 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 →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Open burning is generally prohibited in Santa Monica under the adopted California Fire Code and SCAQMD Rule 444. Special Event Permits are required for outdoor activities involving open flame.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - | SMMC §8.44, SCAQMD Rule 444 |
| Open Burning | - | Generally prohibited |
| Special Events | - | Permit required |
| Permit Lead Time | - | 5 business days |
| Contact | - | sm.fireprevention@santamonica.gov |
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.
Santa Monica FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard in Santa Monica?
Open burning is generally prohibited in Santa Monica under the adopted California Fire Code and SCAQMD Rule 444. Special Event Permits are required for outdoor activities involving open flame.
Do I need a permit for outdoor burning in Santa Monica?
Code Section: SMMC §8.44, SCAQMD Rule 444. Open Burning: Generally prohibited. Special Events: Permit required. Permit Lead Time: 5 business days.
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