4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Outdoor burning in unincorporated Monterey County is regulated by Monterey County Code Chapter 18.09 (adopted California Fire Code) and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) Rule 438. Open burning generally requires a burn permit and is only permitted on declared 'burn days' announced by MBARD. Recreational fire pits using clean fuel are allowed but subject to size and clearance rules and may be suspended during Red Flag warnings.
Monterey County Code Chapter 10.68 prohibits all fireworks - including 'safe and sane' fireworks - in the unincorporated areas of the County. MCC 10.68.040 sets penalties. The ban extends to all coastal beaches, federal and state parks, and military installations. State-licensed public displays are the only exception.
Monterey County Code Chapter 18.56 (Wildfire Protection Standards for Defensible Space and Structures in State Responsibility Areas) and Cal. Public Resources Code section 4291 require 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Zone 0 (0-5 ft) is ember-resistant, Zone 1 (5-30 ft) is lean and green, Zone 2 (30-100 ft) is reduced fuel.
PRC 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.
Large portions of unincorporated Monterey County - including the Big Sur coast, Carmel Highlands, Carmel Valley, Cachagua, Arroyo Seco, and the Santa Lucia Range - are mapped as State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. New construction must meet Cal. Building Code Chapter 7A (wildfire-resistant materials) and MCC Chapter 18.56 defensible space rules. Disclosure under Cal. Government Code section 51183.5 is required on sale.
Public 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).
1 cities in Monterey County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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