8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Orange County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fire pits are allowed in unincorporated Orange County subject to OCFA fire code requirements and SCAQMD no-burn day restrictions. Gas-fueled fire pits are generally unrestricted, while wood-burning fire pits must comply with Check Before You Burn requirements from November through February.
All fireworks, including 'safe and sane' varieties, are illegal in unincorporated Orange County. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) enforces a complete ban. Possession of dangerous fireworks is a misdemeanor under California Health and Safety Code Section 12677 with fines up to $1,000.
Property owners in unincorporated Orange County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around structures per California Public Resources Code Section 4291 and OCFA vegetation management guidelines. Zone 0 (0–5 feet) requires an ember-resistant zone with no combustible materials.
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 ...
Outdoor burning is heavily restricted in unincorporated Orange County under the California Fire Code as adopted by OCFA. Open burning of yard waste, trash, or debris is prohibited. Recreational fires in approved containers may be permitted under strict conditions, but are banned during red flag warnings or high-wind events.
Unincorporated Orange County contains extensive Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) as designated by CAL FIRE and adopted by the Board of Supervisors via Ordinance No. 25-015. Canyon and hillside communities face the strictest building and vegetation management requirements.
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...
California law requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor of a home. Carbon monoxide detectors are required near bedrooms per CA Health & Safety Code 17926. Orange County Fire Authority enforces these requirements in unincorporated areas.
Recreational fires in unincorporated Orange County are permitted in manufactured fire devices using natural gas, propane, or manufactured logs. SCAQMD No-Burn Day restrictions apply. Open fires on the ground are prohibited. Canyon communities face additional restrictions due to wildfire risk.
Orange County Fire Authority limits residential propane storage based on container size, requires setbacks from buildings and ignition sources, and bans storing more than the threshold without a permit under the California Fire Code.
10 cities in Orange County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
6 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
8 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
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