7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fires (backyard fire pits, chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces) in unincorporated Kern County are governed by California Fire Code Section 307 as adopted in Kern County Code Chapter 17.32, which imposes setbacks, size limits, and on-site control requirements.
California Fire Code § 307.4.2, adopted by Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 17.32
Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. (2022 CFC § 307.4.2, as adopted by Kern County Code Chapter 17.32.)
Only State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks may be sold or used in unincorporated Kern County, and they are entirely prohibited within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area (mountain communities like Lake Isabella, Kern River Valley, Frazier Park, and Tehachapi).
Kern County Ordinance Code § 17.32.094 (CFC §§ 5608.2–5608.6)
Fireworks defined and classified as 'safe and sane' in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, may be displayed, sold, possessed and used pursuant to specific provisions, except within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area. It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale any fireworks without first obtaining a permit from the Kern County Fire Department Fire Prevention ...
Kern County requires 30 feet of clearance of all non-ornamental combustibles around every structure and a total 100 feet of fuel reduction, enforced annually by the Kern County Fire Department under Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46. Properties in State Responsibility Areas must complete clearance by June 1 each year.
Kern County Ordinance Code ch. 8.46; KCFD Hazard Reduction Clearance Requirements Checklist
HAZARD REDUCTION CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST: Provided a 30 ft. clearance of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures. (This includes wood piles) Provided a total 100 ft. reduction of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures. Remove trees and limbs within 10 ft. of stovepipe and chimney outlets. Remove any dead limbs that overhang or ...
Open burning of vegetation in unincorporated Kern County requires a burn permit from the Kern County Fire Department, may only occur on declared 'permissive burn days' during the announced burn season, and is split between two air districts that must each authorize the burn.
Kern County Fire Department — Open Burning Notice, implementing Kern County Code Chapter 17.32 and CA Health & Safety Code § 13007
All individuals planning to burn must obtain a burn permit, burn only on permissive days, and adhere to all rules and recommendations outlined in the burn permit terms and conditions... Individuals who choose to use this method of eliminating hazardous vegetation are responsible for always maintaining full control of their fire... may be held civilly and/or criminally liable if a fire escapes o...
Kern County adopted its own Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Ordinance Code Chapter 17.34), tying local hazardous fire areas to the state Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and in 2025 released updated FHSZ maps adding Moderate, High, and Very High zones in Local Responsibility Areas under SB 63.
Kern County Ordinance Code ch. 17.34 (Kern County Wildland-Urban Interface Code), amended IWUIC sec. 302.1 (Ord. G-9179, 2022)
302.1 Declaration. The wildland-urban interface areas shall include any land which is covered with grass, grain, brush or forest, whether privately or publicly owned, which is so situated or is of such inaccessible location, that a fire originating upon such land would present an abnormally difficult job of suppression or would result in great and unusual damage through fire or resulting erosio...
Small recreational backyard fires for cooking or warmth are allowed under California Fire Code § 307 as adopted by Kern County, but any burning of vegetation, debris, or trash requires a burn permit and an air-district 'permissive' day.
Kern County Code Chapter 17.32 (Fire Code) and CFC § 307 as adopted
All individuals planning to burn must obtain a burn permit, burn only on permissive days, and adhere to all rules and recommendations outlined in the burn permit terms and conditions. (Kern County Fire Department, implementing Kern County Code Ch. 17.32.)
The Kern County Fire Code requires a construction permit to install or modify LP-gas containers of 125 gallons water capacity or more (other than at a single-family residence) and caps aggregate LP-gas storage at 2,000 gallons water capacity outside M-2/M-3 industrial zones.
Kern County Ordinance Code ch. 17.32 (Kern County Fire Code), amended CFC secs. 105.6.8, 6104.2 (Ord. G-9179, 2022)
105.6.8 LP-Gas Tanks. A construction permit is required to install, alter or modify an LP-gas container of one hundred twenty-five (125) gallon water capacity or more at other than a single-family residence. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit. [...] 6104.2 Maximum capacity within established limits. The storage of li...
3 cities in Kern County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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