Fire Regulations in Contra Costa County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Contra Costa County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Backyard burning in unincorporated Contra Costa County is tightly limited: BAAQMD Regulation 5 prohibits burning yard waste, and recreational wood fires aren't among its allowed categories. The Fire Code lets officials declare hazardous fires a public nuisance, and suppression costs can be billed to the property owner.

Fire: Backyard Fires

Heavy Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance No. 2025-14 (Adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code and Local Amendments), Sections 202 and 112.4

(h) Section 202 or Chapter 2 (Definitions) is amended to include the following additional defined terms: "Combustible Material. Rubbish, litter or material of any kind other than hazardous vegetation that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard as determined by the fire code official." "Public Nuisance. A declaration by the fire code official that the presence...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Chapter 44-2 (as amended by Ordinance 2021-19) and Section 5601.1.3 of the County Fire Code (Ord. 2025-14) prohibit the possession, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, use, and discharge of all fireworks in unincorporated areas, including state-classified 'safe and sane' fireworks. There is no carve-out for the Fourth of July.

All Fireworks Banned in Unincorporated Contra Costa

Some Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Section 44-2.004

44-2.004 Prohibition. No person shall possess, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, use, or discharge, any fireworks. (Ords. 2021-19 Section 2, 72-19 Section 1: prior code Section 3220; Ord. 684.)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Brush Clearance

Properties in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across unincorporated Contra Costa must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under Public Resources Code 4291. ConFire conducts annual inspections in the WUI, and non-compliance can trigger abatement, liens, and fines starting at $100 and escalating to misdemeanor charges.

Fire: Defensible Space

Some Restrictions

California Public Resources Code § 4291(a)

(a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall con...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Open burning in unincorporated Contra Costa County is governed by BAAQMD Regulation 5 and County Fire Code Section 324. Residential yard-waste and trash burning is prohibited; allowable burns require a fire-district permit, a designated burn day, and no ignition before 10 a.m.

Fire: Outdoor Burning

Heavy Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance No. 2025-14, Section 324 (Exterior Fire Hazard Control)

(i) Chapter 3 (General Precautions Against Fire) is amended by adding new Section 324 (Exterior Fire Hazard Control), to read: "324. Exterior Fire Hazard Control. 324.1. Subsurface Fires. 324.1.1. Peat Fire. It is the duty of each person, firm, corporation, or association not to permit a peat fire or a fire involving combustible vegetable matters under the surface of the natural ground to re...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

Wildfire rules in unincorporated Contra Costa County combine the state's 100-foot defensible-space requirement (PRC §4291) with the county fire code's hazardous-vegetation standards. Fire districts enforce, can abate uncleared parcels, and can bill owners for the work and for suppression costs.

Fire: Wildfire Zones

Some Restrictions

Contra Costa County Ordinance No. 2025-14, Section 202 (Definitions)

(h) Section 202 or Chapter 2 (Definitions) is amended to include the following additional defined terms: "Hazardous Vegetation. Vegetation that is combustible and endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard including but not limited to seasonal and recurrent grasses, weeds, stubble, brush, dry leaves, dry needles, dead, dying or diseased trees and any other vegetation as determined b...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Smoke Detectors

California Health & Safety Code 13113.7 and the California Residential Code require working smoke alarms in all dwelling units in Contra Costa County. Alarms are required in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level including basements. Alarms manufactured after 2015 must have a 10-year sealed battery.

Building Safety: Smoke Alarms

Some Restrictions

California Health & Safety Code § 13113.7(a)-(b), (e)

(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. (2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after Janu...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗