Outdoor Burning: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma
How do outdoor burning rules compare between Santa Rosa, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Santa Rosa and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Open burning is generally prohibited in Santa Rosa. Burning of landscape debris, trash, or other materials requires a permit from the Sonoma County Air Quality Management District and the Fire Department.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Outdoor burning of any vegetative waste in unincorporated Sonoma County requires two permits: an air-quality burn permit from the local air-pollution control district (Northern Sonoma County APCD in northern parts of the county; Bay Area AQMD in southern parts), and - if the parcel is in the State Responsibility Area - a free CAL FIRE burn permit during declared fire season. Permits are typically suspended from late spring through the first significant rains and during any Red Flag warning. Only natural dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned; household trash, painted wood, and treated lumber are always prohibited.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Rosa | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Generally prohibited | - |
| Permits Required | Air district + Fire Department | - |
| Burn Bans | Declared during high fire danger | - |
| Authority | Santa Rosa FD + Sonoma County AQMD | - |
| Local Code | - | Sonoma County Code Chapter 13 (Fire Safety Ordinance) |
| State Law | - | California Fire Code 307; H&S Code 41700 |
| Northern County Air District | - | NoSoCoAir, (707) 433-5911 |
| Southern County Air District | - | Bay Area AQMD, (415) 749-4900 |
| CAL FIRE Permit | - | Required in SRA during fire season (free) |
| Max Pile Size | - | 4 ft x 4 ft, attended at all times |
| Allowed Material | - | Dry natural vegetation grown on parcel only |
| Mandatory Notification | - | REDCOM dispatch (707) 565-1700 day of burn |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Rosa FAQ
Can I burn yard waste in Santa Rosa?
Open burning is generally prohibited. You need permits from both the Sonoma County Air Quality Management District and the Fire Department for any outdoor burning.
Are there seasonal burn bans?
Yes. Burn bans are declared during periods of high fire danger. Check with the Fire Department before any outdoor burning.
Sonoma FAQ
When can I do a backyard burn in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Only on a declared 'permissive burn day' from your air district (NoSoCoAir in the north, BAAQMD in the south), only when CAL FIRE has not suspended burning, and only with valid air-quality and (if in the SRA) CAL FIRE permits. Burning is generally suspended from late spring until the first soaking rains.
What can I burn in Sonoma County?
Only dry natural vegetation - leaves, pine needles, woody prunings - that was grown on your own property. Burning household trash, painted or treated lumber, plastics, tires, rubber, oil, or construction debris is prohibited statewide under California H&S Code 41700, and air-district rules add further restrictions.
Do I need a CAL FIRE burn permit in Sonoma County?
Yes if your property is in the State Responsibility Area and fire season has been declared. The permit is free at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov but does not substitute for the air-district burn permit, which is required year-round. Always call REDCOM at (707) 565-1700 to report your burn the morning you light it.
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