Outdoor Burning: El Cerrito vs Richmond
How do outdoor burning rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and Richmond, CA?
El Cerrito and Richmond have similar restriction levels.
El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Open burning is prohibited in unincorporated Contra Costa County except under a narrow set of agricultural or hazard-reduction permits. Residential yard waste burning is banned year-round under BAAQMD Regulation 5, and wood smoke advisories add further restrictions during winter Spare the Air alerts.
View full El Cerrito rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Open burning is prohibited in Richmond under Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 5 and Richmond Municipal Code fire provisions. Residential yard-waste burning, trash burning, and agricultural burning are not permitted within city limits. Violators face BAAQMD fines and Richmond Fire Department enforcement, with additional scrutiny given proximity to the Chevron refinery.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Residential yard waste burning | Banned year-round (BAAQMD Reg 5) | - |
| Permit authority | ConFire (CCCFPD) fire marshal | - |
| Winter wood-burn bans | Spare the Air alerts Nov 1 to Feb 28 | - |
| Illegal burn penalty | Up to $1,000 and 6 months jail (PRC 4423) | - |
| Ag burn days | Only on BAAQMD/CAL FIRE permissive days | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cerrito FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my yard in unincorporated Contra Costa?
No. Residential yard waste burning is prohibited year-round under BAAQMD Regulation 5, Rule 3. Leaves and green waste must go to curbside green-bin or composted on site.
What about a small recreational campfire?
Approved recreational fires under 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall, using clean seasoned wood, are generally allowed outside fire-restriction periods but may be banned during Red Flag Warnings and Spare the Air nights.
Who issues ag burn permits?
ConFire issues the local burn permit and you must also confirm a permissive burn day with BAAQMD before igniting.
Richmond FAQ
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