Outdoor Burning: Garden Grove vs Midway City
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Garden Grove, CA and Midway City, CA?
Garden Grove and Midway City have similar restriction levels.
Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove prohibits outdoor burning of wood and solid fuels within 25 feet of combustible structures. Open burning of yard waste and trash is not permitted. Only approved gas-fueled devices and permanent fireplaces are allowed for recreational fires.
View full Garden Grove rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Outdoor burning is heavily restricted in unincorporated Orange County under the California Fire Code as adopted by OCFA. Open burning of yard waste, trash, or debris is prohibited. Recreational fires in approved containers may be permitted under strict conditions, but are banned during red flag warnings or high-wind events.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Garden Grove | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Open Burning | Prohibited citywide | Prohibited |
| Yard Waste Burning | Not allowed | - |
| SCAQMD Rule | Rule 444 — no open refuse burning | - |
| Gas Devices | Allowed with Building Dept approval | - |
| Enforcement | OCFA and SCAQMD | OCFA |
| Recreational Fire | - | Approved containers only |
| Wind Limit (Solid Fuel) | - | 8 MPH + <25% humidity |
| Wind Limit (All Fuel) | - | 20 MPH |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Garden Grove FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in Garden Grove?
No. Open burning of yard waste, trash, and debris is prohibited throughout Garden Grove. SCAQMD Rule 444 also prohibits open burning in the South Coast Air Basin.
What outdoor fires are allowed in Garden Grove?
Gas-fueled fire pits and outdoor fireplaces approved by the Building Department, and wood fires in approved permanent fireplaces with proper clearance from combustible structures.
What about no-burn days?
SCAQMD issues no-burn alerts during poor air quality days, which prohibit all residential wood burning including in fireplaces. Check SCAQMD for current alerts.
Midway City FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in unincorporated Orange County?
No. Open burning of yard waste, trash, or debris is prohibited in unincorporated Orange County under the California Fire Code as enforced by OCFA. Use green waste pickup or an authorized disposal facility.
Can I have a fire pit in unincorporated Orange County?
Recreational fires in approved containers may be allowed if constantly attended with extinguishing equipment nearby and at least 15 feet from structures. They are banned during red flag warnings, high winds, or in Wildfire Risk Areas.
Compare other topics
See how Garden Grove and Midway City 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