Fire Regulations in Nevada County, CA (2026)

5 rules for unincorporated Nevada County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Nevada County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Fire Pit Rules

Nevada County adopts the California Fire Code (CFC Section 307) under Title 4 of the County Code. Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, kept under 3 feet in pile size and 2 feet in height, attended at all times, and accompanied by a charged garden hose or other extinguishing equipment. All open burning, including recreational piles, is prohibited on no-burn days and during the declared closed fire season.

Nevada County Recreational Fires & Fire Pits (CFC 307)

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

All fireworks - including 'Safe and Sane' state-approved fireworks - are illegal throughout Nevada County, both unincorporated areas and within Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee. The countywide ban is enforced under Nevada County Code Title 4 (Fire Safety Regulations) together with California Health & Safety Code Sections 12500-12534 and 12677.

Nevada County Fireworks Ban (NCC Title 4)

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Brush Clearance

Nevada County's Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance extends California Public Resources Code 4291 by requiring 100 feet of defensible space around structures - measured to the property line if needed - and adds vegetation-management requirements along private roads and emergency-access routes. Inspections are conducted by the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services Defensible Space program.

Nevada County Hazardous Vegetation & Defensible Space Ordinance

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning of dry landscape vegetation is allowed in unincorporated Nevada County only on permissive burn days during the declared open burn season (typically December 1 through April 30). A free CAL FIRE LE-7 burn permit is required from May 1 onward and household trash burning is always prohibited.

Nevada County Open Burning & CAL FIRE Burn Permits

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

Nearly the entire unincorporated Nevada County is mapped by CAL FIRE as a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) in the State Responsibility Area under PRC 4202. New construction in these zones must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A (ignition-resistant materials) and the County's enhanced defensible-space ordinance. The Wildland-Urban Interface includes the foothills around Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, North San Juan, and the Tahoe-adjacent Truckee basin.