8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in Riverside County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Riverside County adopts the California Fire Code (Ord. 787). Recreational fires in a fire pit must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must be 15 feet away (one- and two-family dwellings are excepted). Fires must be constantly attended with extinguishing equipment on hand.
In unincorporated Riverside County, ALL fireworks are banned under Ordinance No. 858, including state-legal 'safe and sane' fireworks. No person may possess, store, use, sell, or transport fireworks except at a County-authorized site designated by the Fire Chief. Violations are a misdemeanor and carry administrative civil penalties up to $5,000.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires hazardous vegetation abatement under Ordinance 695, and properties in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain up to 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. The County Fire Department's Hazard Reduction program inspects unimproved parcels annually and issues an Order to Abate. CAL FIRE covers these areas.
Cal. Pub. Res. Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space)
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 sha...
Open burning in unincorporated Riverside County requires both a Fire Department permit and air-district authorization. Under the California Fire Code (Ord. 787) open burning must stay 50 feet from structures; bonfires 50 feet. The South Coast AQMD (Rule 444) requires a daily Burn Authorization Number on a declared Burn Day. Residential trash and yard-waste burning is heavily restricted or prohibited.
Much of unincorporated Riverside County — foothills and mountains — is mapped as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). Riverside County Ordinance 787 (CFC Section 4904.2.1) adopts CAL FIRE's VHFHSZ maps. Properties in these zones and in State Responsibility Areas must maintain 100 feet of defensible space (PRC 4291) and meet Wildland-Urban Interface building standards.
CAL FIRE — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Public Resources Code Sec. 4201-4204; Gov. Code Sec. 51175-51189)
Fire Hazard Severity Zones Fire Hazard Severity Zones California’s seasonally dry Mediterranean climate lends itself to wildfires, and in an effort to better prepare, CAL FIRE is required to classify the severity of fire hazard in areas of California. The History of Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition ...
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Riverside County follow California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7) and the adopted California Fire/Residential Code (via Ord. 787). Alarms are required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in dwellings with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage under HSC 13113.8.
California Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7 (Article 1. General)
(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. (2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after Janua...
Backyard recreational fires (fire pits, chimineas, cooking/warming fires) are allowed in unincorporated Riverside County under the adopted California Fire Code (Ord. 787) if kept under 3 feet in diameter and at least 25 feet from structures, constantly attended, with extinguishing equipment ready. Burning trash or yard waste is NOT a recreational fire and requires separate burn authorization. Sky lanterns are banned.
Propane/LP-gas storage in unincorporated Riverside County follows the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 (Ord. 787). Above-ground tanks of 501–2,000 gallons must sit at least 10 feet from buildings and lot lines; underground tanks at least 10 feet. Larger installations require permits and construction documents. In wildfire defensible-space zones, tanks need 10 feet of clearance to bare soil.
9 cities in Riverside 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
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
1 verified rule • Backyard Fires
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