6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Marin County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Residential fire pits and chimineas are generally allowed in unincorporated Marin under the California Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 16.16 MCC, but spark arrestors are required, recreational fires must follow CFC § 307 size and clearance rules, and all outdoor open flames are banned countywide during Red Flag Warnings.
Fire Safe Marin — Red Flag Warning Restrictions (Marin County guidance)
During Red Flag Warnings, residents must avoid these activities: No barbecues or fire-pits outdoors. No open flames including cooking, power tools, or mowers. No smoking outdoors.
All fireworks — including those marketed as 'safe and sane' — are illegal year-round in Marin County. Possession or use is a misdemeanor with fines of roughly $410 locally, and state law adds $500–$1,000 fines plus possible jail.
Marin County Code § 10.08.020 (Parks — Fireworks)
No person shall possess, bring onto, set off or otherwise cause to explode within parks any firecrackers, skyrockets or other fireworks or explosives.
Marin County requires 100 feet of defensible space around all structures in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. State law (PRC §4291) and the Marin County Fire Code mandate two zones: Zone 1 (0–30 ft, lean and green) and Zone 2 (30–100 ft, reduced fuel).
Cal. Pub. Res. Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space - 100 Feet Clearance)
1965, Ch. 1144. ) 4291. (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 modifica...
Open burning (debris piles, vegetation) is prohibited in unincorporated Marin County from May 1 to October 31. Outside that window, residents need a LE5 California Inter-Agency Burn Permit signed by Marin County Fire and may only burn on declared 'permissive burn days.'
California Public Resources Code § 4423
Permits are valid beginning May 1 of each year and require annual renewal. The issuing agency may require the permittee to contact the agency to determine permit suspension status prior to burning. Burning under permit by any person on public or private lands, except within incorporated cities, may be suspended, restricted, or otherwise prohibited by proclamation.
Most of unincorporated Marin County is designated Wildland-Urban Interface under the Marin County Fire Code (Title 16). WUI properties must meet Chapter 7A construction standards for ignition-resistant materials and maintain 100 feet of defensible space year-round.
CAL FIRE / OSFM Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ)
Contact your local jurisdiction for information on a specific area that is located in the Local Responsibility Area. 2025 LRA FHSZ Rollout- All Counties PDF Maps FHSZ recommendations in LRA viewer Intermediary Data Sets for LRA FHSZ LRA FHSZ Combined Data as Recommended by the Office of the State Fire Marshal - Phases 1 through 4 Maps Released: Phase1 - February 10, 2025, Phase 2- February 24,2...
Residents cannot burn debris, vegetation, or open piles in their backyard in unincorporated Marin from May 1 through October 31. Outside that window, a Marin County Fire–signed LE5 burn permit is required and only dry natural vegetation may be burned, with an adult tending at all times.
Marin County Fire Department — Pile Burn Permit Guidelines
All residents must complete a LE5 California Inter-Agency Burn Permit and have it signed off by Marin County Fire... Only dry, natural vegetative material may be burned. The burning of trash, painted wood or other debris is not allowed. An adult is required to tend the fire at all times.
1 cities in Marin County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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