Fire Regulations in Monterey County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Inside Monterey County parks, fires are allowed only in an authorized fire pit, stove, incinerator, or similar receptacle in a designated camping or picnicking area, per Code § 14.12.050(A)(7), and no fire may be left unattended. The county's code has no general open-burning or fire-pit rule for private property outside its parks.
Monterey County Park Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 14.12.050(A)(5), (7), (8)
5.Throw or deposit any burning substance into or onto any combustible place or area, except into an authorized fire pit or incinerator... 7.Build, kindle or use any cooking or similar fire, except in a designated camping or picnicking area in a fire pit, stove, incinerator, or other similar facility receptacle provided by, or approved by, parks personnel.8.Leave unattended any fire kindled by t...
Fireworks
Monterey County Code § 10.68.020 bans using, discharging, or possessing for sale, use, or discharge any fireworks anywhere in the unincorporated area of the county. Even state-legal "safe and sane" fireworks fall inside this ban, and only a short list of exempt devices can be used, and only with prior approval from the responsible fire jurisdiction or the County Fire Warden.
Monterey County Fireworks Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.68.020
No person shall use, discharge, or possess for the purpose of sale, use or discharge any fireworks within the unincorporated area of Monterey County.
Brush Clearance
Properties in unincorporated Monterey County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures under California Public Resources Code 4291. The requirement applies in the State Responsibility Area and very high fire hazard severity zones, and a compliant defensible space inspection is required when selling property in high or very high fire hazard severity zones.
Monterey County Brush Clearance / Defensible Space
Some RestrictionsPRC Code § 4291
(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 modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation.
Outdoor Burning
Monterey County Code § 10.41.050 lets you burn only green waste, and only if the burn follows whatever rules the governmental agency with jurisdiction over that burning, such as a fire authority or air district, sets. Garbage, rubbish, and other offensive odor-producing solid waste cannot be burned under this section at all.
Monterey County Outdoor Burning Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.41.050
The burning of green waste, other than garbage and rubbish and other offensive odor-producing solid waste, may be done only in accordance with the appropriate requirements of any governmental agency having jurisdiction.
Wildfire Zones
About 80% of Monterey County is rated high, very high, or extreme fire threat. CAL FIRE maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones (moderate, high, very high) across the State and Local Responsibility Areas. Very high zones trigger 100-foot defensible space, Wildland-Urban Interface building codes, and seller disclosure.
Monterey County Wildfire Zones
Some RestrictionsPublic Resources Code 4201
The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA).
Smoke Detectors
Monterey County's local Fire Code amendments do not print an independent smoke-alarm section; instead MC110.4 governs household fire warning systems installed as an alternative to the single-station smoke alarms the California Residential Code otherwise requires, and only applies to projects the Fire Code Official conditions under MC101.1's scope for dwellings, townhomes, and manufactured or mobile homes.
Monterey County Residential Fire Alarm Rule
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 18.09.030 (MC110.4)
MC110.4 Residential fire alarm systems. (FIRE 024). The residence shall be fully protected with an approved household fire warning system as defined by NFPA 72. Plans and specifications for the household fire warning system shall be submitted by a California licensed C-10 contractor and approved prior to installation. Household fire warning systems installed in lieu of single-station smoke alar...
Fire Regulations by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Monterey County ordinances
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