Fire Regulations in Merced County, CA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Merced County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
In unincorporated Merced County, a backyard fire pit is an 'open or outdoor fire' that needs a permit from the county fire chief under Code Section 9.24.130. The dooryard exemption in that section only clearly covers stoves, lanterns, heaters, and similar flame appliances, not open fires, and open fire is exempted only within an established campsite.
Merced County Backyard Fire Pit Permit
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code § 9.24.130
It is unlawful for any person to build, light, maintain, or cause or permit to be built, lighted, or maintained any open or outdoor fire; ... unless a permit to do so is first obtained from the county fire chief. Nothing in this section shall apply to the use of any such heating or lighting appliance within any building, nor within the boundaries of the dooryard premises of any place of habitat...
Fireworks
Merced County bans every "dangerous firework" countywide under Chapter 9.26 and allows only permitted "safe and sane" sales during a short summer window. Nonprofits must hold a $400 county fire chief permit to run a stand, and no fireworks of any kind, safe and sane included, may be discharged inside the State Responsibility Area covering the county's foothills and mountains.
Merced County Dangerous Fireworks Ban
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code §§ 9.26.020, 9.26.140(D)
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person shall possess, sell, use, display or explode any "dangerous fireworks" including, but not limited to, any rocket, firecracker, roman candle, squib, torpedo, wire core sparkler, wooden core sparkler, black cartridge, aerial shell or other combustible device or explosive substance or any kind of fireworks, by whatsoever name known, or any al...
Outdoor Burning
Burning brush, grass, trash, rubbish, or land-clearing debris outdoors in unincorporated Merced County requires a permit from the county fire chief under Code Section 9.24.130, and burning garbage or other odor-producing refuse is banned outright except in an air-district-approved incinerator under Section 9.08.140. Agricultural field burning runs on its own permit track under Chapter 9.20.
Merced County Open Burning Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsMerced County Code §§ 9.24.130, 9.08.140
It is unlawful for any person to build, light, maintain, or cause or permit to be built, lighted, or maintained any open or outdoor fire; or to use or cause or permit to be used any fire for clearing land; to burn or cause or permit to be burned any brush, grass, trash, rubbish, stubble, or other flammable or combustible materials; ... unless a permit to do so is first obtained from the county ...
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