Outdoor Burning: El Cerrito vs Walnut Creek
How do outdoor burning rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and Walnut Creek, CA?
El Cerrito and Walnut Creek 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 →Walnut Creek, CA
Contra Costa County
Open burning is effectively prohibited in Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) enforces a year-round ban on outdoor residential burning, and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) prohibits open burning of landscape waste, garbage, and construction debris under Regulation 5.
View full Walnut Creek rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Walnut Creek FAQ
Compare other topics
See how El Cerrito and Walnut Creek compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool