Fire Pit Rules: Lompoc vs Santa Maria
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Lompoc, CA and Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria has fewer restrictions than Lompoc.
Lompoc, CA
Santa Barbara County
In Santa Barbara County, residential open burning (yard-waste, brush, debris piles) is regulated jointly by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) Rule 401 burn-permit program and by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department under the locally adopted California Fire Code (County Code Chapter 15). Recreational fires (fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, charcoal grills, propane patio heaters) are governed by California Fire Code Section 307 as locally amended: any permanent or portable fire pit, outdoor fireplace, barbecue, or grill must be at least 30 feet from any grass, grain, brush, or forested area; have an approved spark arrester, screen, or door over the firebox; be maintained in good repair; and be attended at all times. Ashes and coals from any recreational fire may NOT be deposited or dumped in High Fire Hazard Areas. CAL FIRE issues 'Permissive Burn Day' or 'No Burn Day' status daily during fire season, and discretionary fires are also subject to the SBCAPCD daily-burn-day determination.
View full Lompoc rules →Santa Maria, CA
Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria allows recreational fires in approved fire pits with safety restrictions. Fires must maintain clearance from structures and be attended at all times.
View full Santa Maria rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lompoc | Santa Maria |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Codes | California Fire Code Section 307 + Santa Barbara County Code Chapter 15 | - |
| Recreational Fire Size Limit | 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height; fuel other than rubbish | - |
| Setback (recreational fire) | 25 ft from any structure or combustible material | - |
| Setback (portable outdoor fireplace) | 15 ft from any structure or combustible material | - |
| County BBQ / Grill Setback | 30 ft from grass, grain, brush, or forested areas | - |
| Spark Arrester | Required on all openings in BBQs, outdoor fireplaces, and grills | - |
| Attendance | Constant supervision with water/extinguisher until fire is fully out | Must be attended at all times |
| Ash Disposal | Hot ashes prohibited in High Fire Hazard Areas (limited fire-pit hearth exception) | - |
| Burn Permit (vegetation) | Required from Santa Barbara County Fire AND a 'Permissive Burn Day' from SBCAPCD | - |
| Red Flag Warning | ALL open burning and most recreational fires suspended | - |
| Burn Day Hotline | Santa Barbara County APCD - (805) 961-8801 / ourair.org | - |
| Setback | - | 15 feet from structures |
| Fuel | - | Clean dry firewood only |
| Gas Fire Pits | - | Less restricted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lompoc FAQ
Can I have a backyard fire pit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
Generally yes, with strict conditions. Under California Fire Code Section 307 (as locally adopted in County Code Chapter 15), a recreational fire must be no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material (15 feet for a portable outdoor fireplace), and constantly attended with a water source or extinguisher until fully extinguished. Santa Barbara County's local amendment further requires that any permanent or portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill be at least 30 feet from any grass, grain, brush, or forested area, fitted with an approved spark arrester or screen, and kept in good repair. During Red Flag Warnings and 'No Burn Days,' open recreational fires are not allowed - only enclosed gas-fueled outdoor appliances. Hot ashes must NEVER be dumped in High Fire Hazard Areas.
Do I need a permit to burn brush or yard waste in Santa Barbara County?
Yes, two permissions are needed. First, you must obtain a burn permit from the Santa Barbara County Fire Department for any open burning of vegetative debris (and CAL FIRE may be involved on State Responsibility Area parcels). Second, you must check the daily 'Burn Day / No Burn Day' status posted by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD) under Rules 401 (agricultural burning) and 402 (open burning); even with a permit, no burning is allowed on a No Burn Day or during CAL FIRE's annual declared fire-season closure. The SBCAPCD burn-status hotline is (805) 961-8801 and ourair.org publishes the daily call. Backyard burning of household trash is prohibited.
Are sky lanterns and Tiki torches legal in Santa Barbara County?
Sky lanterns are illegal anywhere in California under State law (California Health and Safety Code Section 12500 et seq. / Section 12677, classified as a dangerous firework device when sold), and they are particularly dangerous in Santa Barbara County's offshore-wind / Sundowner-wind fire conditions. Tiki torches and other open-flame fuel-burning devices are not specifically prohibited, but they are subject to California Fire Code open-flame rules: they must be at least 30 feet from any combustible vegetation, fitted with a tip-resistant base, attended at all times, and immediately extinguished if winds rise or a Red Flag Warning is in effect. During declared High or Extreme Fire Danger periods, Santa Barbara County Fire may prohibit ALL open-flame devices outdoors. Hot ash and coals from any flame device must never be dumped in vegetation.
Santa Maria FAQ
Can I have a fire pit in Santa Maria?
Yes, in approved fire pits with proper clearance from structures. Fires must be attended at all times.
What can I burn in my fire pit in Santa Maria?
Only clean, dry firewood. No trash, treated wood, or yard waste.
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