Fire Pit Rules: Mountain View vs Palo Alto
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Palo Alto, CA?
Mountain View and Palo Alto have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View allows portable outdoor fire pits fueled by natural gas or propane. Open wood burning is generally prohibited on Spare the Air days declared by BAAQMD.
View full Mountain View rules →Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Palo Alto allows gas and propane fire pits on residential property. Wood-burning recreational fires are restricted on Spare-the-Air days and prohibited in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the western foothills.
View full Palo Alto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fire pits | Allowed year-round | - |
| Wood burning | Banned on Spare the Air days | - |
| Clearance | 10 feet from structures | - |
| Supervision | Must be attended | - |
| Regulator | BAAQMD Reg 6, Rule 3 | - |
| Clearance from structures | - | Minimum 25 feet |
| Attendance | - | Required until fully extinguished |
| Spare-the-Air ban | - | Wood burning prohibited on alert days |
| Gas/propane | - | Allowed with proper clearance |
| Enforcing agency | - | Palo Alto Fire Department |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I use a propane fire pit on my patio?
Yes, propane and natural gas fire pits are allowed in Mountain View and are exempt from BAAQMD Spare the Air wood-burning bans.
How do I check if wood burning is banned today?
Visit sparetheair.org or sign up for BAAQMD alerts to see whether a no-burn day has been declared for the Bay Area.
Palo Alto FAQ
Can I use a wood fire pit in Palo Alto?
Yes on most days, but not on Spare-the-Air alert days declared by BAAQMD. Gas and propane models are not restricted by the alert.
What about fire pits in the foothills?
Properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone face tighter restrictions and should favor gas appliances over open wood fires.
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