Fire Regulations in Orange County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Orange County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

In unincorporated Orange County, wood-burning fire pits and fireplaces must sit at least 25 feet from combustible structures unless spark-arrested and kept 3 feet (R-3) or 15 feet (other homes) away, per the county's amended Fire Code Section 307.6.2.

Orange County Fire Pit Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 3-3-5 (Fire Code § 307.6.2)

The burning of wood or other solid fuel in a device is not allowed within 25 feet of combustible structures unless within an approved permanent fireplace...Exceptions: 1.Portable fireplaces and fire rings/pits equipped with a device to arrest sparks shall be located at least 3 feet from combustible construction at R-3 occupancies,2.Portable fireplaces, and fire pits/rings equipped with a device...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

In unincorporated Orange County, a public fireworks display is allowed only once a year, for one day between June 30 and July 7, under a permit issued by the OCFA Fire Chief. No discretionary zoning permit is required. Nonprofit organizations may run accessory sales of food, beverages and merchandise, but not fireworks, alongside the display in any zoning district.

Orange County Public Fireworks Display Permits

Some Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 7-9-117.6

A one-day public display of fireworks between June 30 and July 7, including the accessory sales by nonprofit organizations of food, beverages, and merchandise (other than fireworks), shall be permitted in any district, planned community, or specific plan area subject to a permit issued by the Fire Chief. Notwithstanding any other land use regulations, a discretionary zoning permit shall not be ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Brush Clearance

In wildfire-prone unincorporated Orange County, owners must maintain defensible space around structures. California Public Resources Code 4291 requires clearance up to 100 feet around buildings, and CAL FIRE's defensible-space framework defines Zone 0 (0-5 ft, ember-resistant), Zone 1 (5-30 ft) and Zone 2 (30-100 ft). OCFA administers inspections in OC's high-hazard areas.

Orange County Brush Clearance / Defensible Space (Unincorporated Areas)

Some Restrictions

California Public Resources Code § 4291

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 modification necessary ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

In unincorporated Orange County, the Fire Code bars outdoor wood fires whenever winds top 8 mph with humidity under 25%, a red flag is declared, or OCFA posts a burn-ban notice, and bans all outdoor fires above 20 mph winds.

Orange County Outdoor Burning Weather Ban

Some Restrictions

Orange County Codified Ordinances § 3-3-5 (adding California Fire Code § 305.6, Hazardous Conditions)

305.6 Hazardous conditions. Outdoor fires burning wood or other solid fuel are not allowed when any of the following conditions applies: 1. When predicted sustained winds exceed 8 MPH and relative humidity is less than 25%, or a red flag condition has been declared. 2. When an official sign was caused to be posted by the fire code official, or a public announcement is made. No outdoor fires usi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

Much of unincorporated Orange County - especially the Silverado, Modjeska, and Trabuco canyon communities - lies in CAL FIRE-designated Very High, High, or Moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones. CAL FIRE released an updated FHSZ map for OC's unincorporated areas in 2025. Properties in these zones face stricter defensible-space, building, and disclosure requirements.

Orange County Wildfire Zones (Unincorporated Areas)

Some Restrictions

CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PRC § 4201-4204; Gov. Code § 51175-89)

The State Fire Marshal is mandated to classify lands within State Responsibility Areas into Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Fire Hazard Severity Zones fall into one of the following classifications: Moderate High Very High The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Propane Storage

In unincorporated Orange County, propane and LP-gas storage follows the 2025 California Fire Code's Chapter 61 exactly: the county adopted it in its entirety with zero local amendments, unlike several other hazardous-materials chapters in the same article.