8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Orange County, California.
Verified from official government sources
OCFA, which serves all unincorporated Orange County, follows the California Fire Code. Recreational fire pits must stay at least 25 feet from any structure, with a fuel pile no more than 3 feet across and 2 feet high. Outdoor wood/solid-fuel fires are banned when winds exceed 8 mph and humidity is below 25%, or during Red Flag conditions.
In unincorporated Orange County, ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal to use. Unincorporated communities are not among the 10 OC cities that license retail sales, so any use of consumer fireworks here is prohibited under the California Fireworks Law (Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.).
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.
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 ...
Open burning of residential yard waste, leaves, and tree trimmings is effectively prohibited across Orange County. South Coast AQMD Rule 444 and the 'Check Before You Burn' program (AQMD Rule 445) sharply restrict open and wood burning, and the California Fire Code requires a permit and bans open burning whenever atmospheric or local conditions make it hazardous.
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.
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...
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Orange County come from California law, not a separate county ordinance. Health & Safety Code 13113.7 requires State Fire Marshal-approved smoke alarms in every dwelling unit - in each sleeping room, in hallways adjacent to bedrooms, and on each story - and triggers an upgrade when a building permit over $1,000 is issued.
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in unincorporated Orange County under the California Fire Code, subject to OCFA limits: a fuel pile no larger than 3 feet across and 2 feet high, at least 25 feet from any structure, constant attendance, and a ban during high winds (over 8 mph), low humidity (under 25%), Red Flag conditions, or AQMD no-burn days.
Propane storage in unincorporated Orange County follows the California Fire Code (Chapter 61), enforced by OCFA. Portable LP-gas containers (like 20-lb BBQ tanks) may not be stored in basements, pits, or below-grade spaces where heavy gas can collect. Larger installations have separation distances from buildings and lot lines, and permits apply above set thresholds.
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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