Fire Pit Rules: Jurupa Valley vs Mead Valley
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Jurupa Valley, CA and Mead Valley, CA?
Jurupa Valley and Mead Valley have similar restriction levels.
Jurupa Valley, CA
Riverside County
Jurupa Valley allows small recreational fires and fire pits under the 2025 California Fire Code, adopted by Ordinance No. 2025-24. Fires are capped at 3 feet across and 2 feet high, kept 25 feet from structures, with portable outdoor fireplaces allowed at 15 feet.
View full Jurupa Valley rules →Mead Valley, CA
Riverside County
Riverside County adopts the California Fire Code (Ord. 787). Recreational fires in a fire pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must be 15 feet away (one- and two-family dwellings are excepted). Fires must be constantly attended with extinguishing equipment on hand.
View full Mead Valley rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Jurupa Valley | Mead Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Max fire size | 3 ft diameter, 2 ft high | - |
| Distance from structures | 25 ft (recreational fires) | - |
| Portable outdoor fireplaces | 15 ft from structures | - |
| Fire authority | Riverside County Fire / CAL FIRE | - |
| Allowed fuels | Untreated wood, charcoal, propane, gas | - |
| Adopted code | - | 2022 California Fire Code via Riverside County Ord. No. 787.10 |
| Recreational fire max size | - | 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height (CFC 307.4.2) |
| Recreational fire setback | - | 25 ft from structures/combustibles (CFC 307.4.2) |
| Portable outdoor fireplace setback | - | 15 ft (CFC 307.4.3); exception for 1- & 2-family dwellings |
| Attendance | - | Must be constantly attended; 4-A extinguisher or water/dirt on hand (CFC 307.5) |
| Sky lanterns | - | Prohibited (Ord. 787, CFC 308.1.6.3 as amended) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Jurupa Valley FAQ
Can I use a wood-burning fire pit in my Jurupa Valley backyard?
Yes, if it qualifies as a recreational fire: 3 feet across or less, 25 feet from structures and combustibles, attended, and burning only clean fuels like untreated wood or charcoal. Red flag conditions and CAL FIRE restrictions can suspend use.
Do propane fire pits follow the same rules?
Gas-fueled portable outdoor fireplaces are treated more leniently; they must follow manufacturer instructions, and SCAQMD Rule 444 exempts gas and propane fires used for cooking or warmth from burn-day rules.
Mead Valley FAQ
How far does a backyard fire pit need to be from my house?
Under California Fire Code 307.4.2 (adopted by Riverside County Ord. 787), a recreational fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. A manufactured portable outdoor fireplace must be at least 15 feet away under 307.4.3, though one- and two-family dwellings are exempted from that 15-foot rule. The fire itself cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter.
Do I have to watch the fire the whole time?
Yes. California Fire Code 307.5 requires recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces to be constantly attended until fully extinguished, with a 4-A-rated fire extinguisher or equivalent (dirt, sand, water barrel, or garden hose) available for immediate use.
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