Fire Pit Rules: Santa Monica vs Topanga
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Santa Monica, CA and Topanga, CA?
Santa Monica and Topanga have similar restriction levels.
Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires are limited to designated areas. Fire pits must be attended at all times.
View full Santa Monica rules →Topanga, CA
Los Angeles County
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated LA County must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations and LA County Fire Department rules. Open burning requires AQMD approval. Gas/propane fire pits are generally allowed. Wood-burning is restricted on spare-the-air days.
View full Topanga rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Monica | Topanga |
|---|---|---|
| AQMD | No burns on spare-the-air days | - |
| Beach | Designated areas only | - |
| Attended | Must be supervised at all times | - |
| Private Property | Allowed with conditions | - |
| Gas/Propane | - | Generally permitted |
| Wood Burning | - | Subject to AQMD rules |
| Spare the Air | - | No burning on alert days |
| Fire Hazard Zones | - | Additional restrictions may apply |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Monica FAQ
Are fire pits allowed in residential areas in Santa Monica?
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires are limited to designated areas. Fire pits must be attended at all times.
What are the fire pit setback requirements in Santa Monica?
AQMD: No burns on spare-the-air days. Beach: Designated areas only. Attended: Must be supervised at all times. Private Property: Allowed with conditions.
Topanga FAQ
Can I have a fire pit in unincorporated LA County?
Yes, but you must follow SCAQMD Rule 444 and LA County Fire requirements: at least 15 feet from structures, max 3 feet diameter, spark screen required, and no burning on no-burn alert days.
What are no-burn days?
SCAQMD declares no-burn days when air quality is poor. Check aqmd.gov or call (866) 966-3293 for current status. Wood-burning fire pits and fireplaces are prohibited on no-burn days.
Are gas fire pits allowed on no-burn days?
Yes. Gas and propane fire pits are exempt from SCAQMD no-burn restrictions since they don't produce wood smoke. They must still meet setback and attendance requirements.
Compare other topics
See how Santa Monica and Topanga 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