6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 19 cities in Los Angeles County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated LA County must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations and LA County Fire Department rules. Open burning requires AQMD approval. Gas/propane fire pits are generally allowed. Wood-burning is restricted on spare-the-air days.
All fireworks, including 'Safe and Sane' varieties, are completely prohibited in unincorporated Los Angeles County under LA County Fire Code Section 5601.1.3. The LA County Fire Department enforces a zero-tolerance policy.
Brush clearance is critical in unincorporated LA County, which includes extensive wildfire-prone areas. LA County Fire Department requires 200 ft vegetation clearance from structures and 10 ft from combustible fences/roadways. Year-round compliance is mandatory. No brush clearance on red flag days.
Open burning is prohibited in unincorporated LA County except by permit from the LA County Fire Department. The South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444 further restricts open burning. Wildfire risk areas have additional prohibitions.
Large portions of unincorporated LA County are designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), including Altadena, Topanga, and mountain communities. CalFire manages State Responsibility Areas. Defensible space (100 ft per PRC 4291) and brush clearance requirements are strictly enforced.
CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PRC 4201-4204; Gov. Code 51175-89)
The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate, High, Very High. The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 an...
LA County Fire Code Title 32 §6101 governs propane storage. Residential cylinders aggregating 10 gallons or less are exempt; aggregate quantities above 25 gallons require a LACoFD permit and IFC §6104 setbacks from buildings, property lines, and ignition sources.
19 cities in Los Angeles County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
8 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
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