Fire Pit Rules: Sutter vs Yuba City
How do fire pit rules rules compare between Sutter, CA and Yuba City, CA?
Sutter has fewer restrictions than Yuba City.
Sutter, CA
Sutter County
Recreational fires and fire pits are allowed without a permit on private property in unincorporated Sutter County with the owner's consent, as long as the fire stays at least 25 feet from structures (15 feet for an approved listed appliance), is no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, and burns only dry, seasoned wood.
View full Sutter rules →Yuba City, CA
Sutter County
Yuba City Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 5 (Fire Prevention) adopts the California Fire Code. Recreational fires in approved BBQ-type containers are allowed without a permit if the fuel area is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, and kept at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material.
View full Yuba City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Sutter | Yuba City |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Not required for recreational fires on private property with owner consent | - |
| Size limit | 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height maximum | - |
| Clearance | 25 ft from structures; 15 ft if in an approved listed appliance | - |
| Fuel | Dry, seasoned wood only - no trimmings, leaves, or construction scraps | - |
| Appliance setback | Approved appliances 15 ft from buildings, property lines, rights-of-way | - |
| Permit required | - | No for recreational fires <= 3 ft diameter; yes for larger open burning |
| Maximum fuel area | - | 3 ft diameter, 2 ft height |
| Distance from structures | - | 15 ft (recreational); 50 ft (open burning) |
| Attendance | - | Constant until extinguished; extinguisher/hose required on site |
| Air district | - | Feather River AQMD - check daily burn status |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Sutter FAQ
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit in unincorporated Sutter County?
No permit is required for a recreational fire on private property with the owner's consent, under California Fire Code section 307.4.2 as amended by Sutter County Ordinance Code section 600-120. The fire must stay within 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, keep 25 feet from structures or combustibles (15 feet if in an approved appliance installed per its listing), and burn only dry, seasoned wood.
Can I burn yard waste or scrap lumber in my fire pit?
No. Only dry, seasoned wood may be burned in a recreational fire; construction scraps, green wood, shrub trimmings, and leaves are not allowed. Yard waste may only be burned as a separate residential open burn on a designated burn day under FRAQMD rules, never in a fire pit, burn barrel, or container.
Are fire pits banned on no-burn days?
FRAQMD's open-burning rule exempts recreational and cooking fires, so air-quality burn days do not apply to a properly fueled fire pit. However, fire protection agencies may prohibit all outdoor fires during red flag warnings or high fire danger, so check conditions before lighting.
Yuba City FAQ
Can I have a backyard fire pit in Yuba City?
Yes. A recreational fire in an approved container (BBQ pit, fire ring, chiminea) is permitted without a permit, provided the fuel area is no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall and the fire is kept at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material per Yuba City Fire Department recreational fire rules adopted under Title 4 Chapter 5.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit?
No permit is required for a recreational fire within the 3-foot/2-foot limit. Open burning of materials larger than that, or non-recreational burning, requires a fire permit from YCFD (city limits and County Service Area-G) or an Ag Burn Permit from Feather River AQMD.
When are wood-burning fires restricted?
On 'no-burn' days announced by Feather River Air Quality Management District. FRAQMD posts a daily burn-day status; recreational fires must comply with FRAQMD rules even though YCFD does not enforce FRAQMD requirements directly.
Compare other topics
See how Sutter and Yuba City 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