Outdoor Burning: Mountain View vs Sunnyvale
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Mountain View and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Open outdoor burning of leaves, yard waste, or debris is prohibited in Mountain View. Only contained recreational fires using approved fuel are allowed.
View full Mountain View rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Open burning of yard waste, trash, and construction debris is prohibited in Sunnyvale. BAAQMD Regulation 5 bans agricultural and residential burning across the Bay Area including Santa Clara County.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Yard waste burning | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Trash burning | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Recreational fires | Contained devices only | - |
| Disposal | Recology green cart | - |
| Agencies | MV Fire and BAAQMD | - |
| Disposal option | - | Organics cart or SMaRT Station |
| Air district rule | - | BAAQMD Regulation 5 |
| Exceptions | - | Permitted recreational or training only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my backyard?
No. Burning leaves or yard waste is prohibited. Place green waste in your Recology organics cart for curbside collection.
Are chimineas allowed?
Chimineas are allowed with clean fuel such as seasoned wood outside Spare the Air alerts or with gas, and must be attended and clear of combustibles.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can I burn leaves in the fall in Sunnyvale?
No, all yard waste burning is banned. Place leaves and branches in your organics cart for weekly collection.
Are recreational cooking fires allowed?
Yes, approved grills and BBQ appliances are permitted, but you cannot burn yard debris under the guise of cooking.
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