Fire Regulations in Los Angeles County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 21 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Recreational and cooking fires on private property in unincorporated LA County are allowed without a permit only if the fuel area does not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height and the property is not in a wildfire risk area. Chimneys and outdoor fireplaces in wildfire risk areas must have spark arresters.

Fire: Fire Pit Rules

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Title 32 (Fire Code), §§ 307.2, 307.6, and 326.12.2

§ 307.2: A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.5 prior to kindling a recreational fire where the fuel is not contained as described in Chapter 3 nor limited as defined in Section 202, RECREATIONAL FIRE, to having a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height, for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, coo...

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Fireworks

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks are prohibited in unincorporated LA County, with narrow exceptions for safe-and-sane fireworks where specifically allowed by state law. Sky lanterns and floating luminaries are also prohibited.

Fire: Fireworks

Heavy Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Title 32 (Fire Code), §§ 308.1.6.3 and 5601.1.3

§ 5601.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Exceptions: 4. The possession, storage, sale, handling and use of specific types of Division 1.4G fireworks, including safe and sane, where allowed by applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, provided that such fireworks and facilities comply with the 2006 edition of NFPA 1124, CP...

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Brush Clearance

Property owners in unincorporated LA County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around any structure located on or adjacent to brush- or forest-covered land. The fire department can require clearance up to 200 feet in extra-hazardous situations.

Fire: Brush Clearance

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Title 32 (Fire Code), § 325.2.1

Any person owning, leasing, controlling, operating, or maintaining any building, structure, or apiary upon or adjoining any mountainous, or forest- or brush-covered land or land covered with flammable growth, and any person owning, leasing, or controlling any land adjacent to such structures, shall at all times maintain defensible space of 100 feet (30.48 m) from each side and from the front an...

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Outdoor Burning

Open outdoor fires are generally prohibited in unincorporated LA County except for specific permitted exceptions. Small recreational and cooking fires on private property (maximum 3 feet wide by 2 feet tall) are allowed only outside wildfire risk areas.

Fire: Outdoor Burning

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Title 32 (Fire Code), § 307.6

A person shall not build, light, maintain, or cause or permit to be built, lighted, or maintained, any open outdoor fire or use or cause or permit to be used, any open outdoor fire for any purpose except: 1. When such fire is set or permission for such fire is given in the performance of the official duty of any public officer, and the fire, in the opinion of such public officer, is necessary f...

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Wildfire Zones

Unincorporated LA County designates Local Agency Fire Hazard Severity Zones throughout the region, including the Malibu–Santa Monica Mountains Area and the San Gabriel Mountains Southface Area. Permits are required for virtually all recreational, commercial, and industrial activities in wildfire risk areas.

Fire: Wildfire Zones

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Title 32 (Fire Code), §§ 326.1 and 326.2

§ 326.1: Due to conditions tending to cause or allow the rapid spread of fires which may occur on grass-, grain-, brush-, or forest-covered land in certain hazardous fire portions of the jurisdictional area, or because of the inaccessible character of such lands, the unrestricted use of such lands creates a potential menace to life and property from fire. Therefore, it is the intent of this sec...

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Propane Storage

In areas served by LA County Fire, unincorporated county territory and dozens of contract cities, a Fire Department operational permit is required for LP-gas storage unless a single outdoor container holds 500 gallons or less (or portable containers total under 125 gallons) at a home.

LA County Propane Storage Permit Rule

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Fire Code (County Code Title 32) § 105.5.29

An operational permit is required for: 1.Storage and use of LP-gas. Exceptions: a.A permit is not required for an individual nonportable outdoor container with a 500-gallon (1893 L) water capacity or less, or for multiple nonportable outdoor containers or outdoor nonportable container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 500 gallons (1893 L) water capacity serving occupancies in G...

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