Outdoor Burning: Rohnert Park vs Sonoma
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Rohnert Park, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Rohnert Park and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma County
Open burning in unincorporated Sonoma County requires a burn permit issued pursuant to Sonoma County Code Section 13-71 (incorporated by reference into the County's adopted California Fire Code as Section 307.2). Burning is only allowed on Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) or Northern Sonoma County APCD 'permissive burn days,' typically November through April 30, and may not begin before 10:00 a.m.
View full Rohnert Park rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Open burning of yard waste, brush, leaves, or trash is prohibited inside the City of Sonoma. The city is a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) where Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) rules and SVFD policy disallow residential vegetation pile burning; burn permits are only issued for unincorporated/State Responsibility Area (SRA) properties.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rohnert Park | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required (Sonoma County Code Section 13-71) | - |
| Code citation | Fire Code Section 307.2 | - |
| Burn season | Nov - April 30 (typical) | - |
| Start time | No earlier than 10:00 a.m. | - |
| Material allowed | Natural vegetation only | - |
| Pile size | Max 4 ft diameter x 4 ft high | - |
| Clearance | 10 ft to bare soil | - |
| Daily call-in | REDCOM (707) 565-1700 | - |
| Open burning in city limits | - | Prohibited (BAAQMD Reg. 5) |
| Burn permits available? | - | Only outside city in SRA (CAL FIRE) or LRA-Ag (BAAQMD) |
| Recreational fire exception | - | Yes – CFC §307.4.2 (≤3 ft / ≤2 ft, 25 ft setback) |
| Cooking fires exception | - | Yes – charcoal grills, gas grills allowed |
| Burn day hotline | - | 1-800-792-0787 (BAAQMD) |
| Max civil penalty | - | $10,000/day (Cal. H&S §42402) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rohnert Park FAQ
Can I burn yard waste or household trash in my backyard?
Only dry natural vegetation (leaves, pine needles, tree trimmings) is allowed, and only with a valid burn permit on a declared permissive burn day. Burning of trash, painted wood, or other debris is prohibited.
How do I know if today is a burn day?
Check the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) or Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District (NSCAPCD) burn-day status, and call Fire Dispatch (REDCOM) at (707) 565-1700 to notify them before igniting.
What if my fire escapes onto a neighbor's property?
Under Fire Code Section 107.6 and California H&S Code Sections 13009/13009.1, the fire agency can recover all suppression costs from you as a contractual debt. You may also face civil and criminal liability under state law.
Sonoma FAQ
Can I burn leaves and yard waste in my backyard in Sonoma?
No. The City of Sonoma is in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District where residential open burning of leaves and yard debris is prohibited under BAAQMD Regulation 5. Use the City's green-waste curbside collection instead, or take debris to the Sonoma County Central Disposal Site.
Are recreational campfires or backyard fire pits allowed?
Yes, recreational fires that meet California Fire Code §307.4.2 (under 3 ft diameter / 2 ft height, at least 25 ft from any structure, attended at all times with a water source nearby) are allowed. Propane or natural-gas fire pits are also permitted. Pile burning of yard waste is not.
Compare other topics
See how Rohnert Park and Sonoma compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool