Fire Pit Rules: Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara 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 →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara allows residential fire pits fueled by propane or natural gas. Wood-burning devices face Bay Area Air Quality Management District curfews during Spare the Air alerts.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Gas fire pits | Allowed year-round | - |
| Wood burning | Banned on Spare the Air days | - |
| Clearance | 10 feet from structures | 10 ft from structures and vegetation |
| Supervision | Must be attended | - |
| Regulator | BAAQMD Reg 6, Rule 3 | - |
| Preferred fuel | - | Propane or natural gas |
| Wood burn alerts | - | BAAQMD Spare the Air prohibits wood fires |
| Attendance | - | Adult must remain until fire is out |
| Code basis | - | California Fire Code + BAAQMD Reg 6-3 |
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.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can I use a wood fire pit in Santa Clara?
Only on non-alert days. BAAQMD bans wood burning during Winter Spare the Air Alerts. Gas fire pits are always allowed.
Do I need a permit for a backyard gas fire pit?
No permit is required for a typical manufactured residential gas fire pit, but gas line installation must be performed by a licensed contractor with a building permit.
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