8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District applies the California Fire Code to recreational fires in most unincorporated areas. A recreational fire is limited to 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, with at least 25 feet of clearance from structures and combustibles, must be constantly attended, and must have on-site fire-extinguishing equipment available.
In unincorporated Sacramento County, only State Fire Marshal-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks are legal, and only during a narrow window. They may be possessed and sold from noon June 28 through 9 p.m. July 4, and discharged only between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. All aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal year-round.
Property owners in or near mapped fire hazard zones must maintain defensible space under California Public Resources Code Section 4291. The standard is 100 feet of clearance around structures (or to the property line). Sacramento County's 2025 CAL FIRE maps added Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in south, southeast, and east county areas.
California Public Resources Code § 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 shall con...
Residential open burning of leaves, yard trimmings, and household waste is prohibited year-round in unincorporated Sacramento County. Open burning is regulated by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District; agricultural burns require a Sac Metro Air District permit and may occur only on declared permissive burn days. Check burn status before any allowed burning.
Most of unincorporated Sacramento County is low-lying valley floor with low wildfire hazard, so the majority of parcels are not in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone. However, the 2025 CAL FIRE maps added Moderate, High, and Very High FHSZ designations in south, southeast, and eastern county areas, triggering defensible space and, in higher zones, WUI building standards.
Smoke alarm requirements in unincorporated Sacramento County follow California law. Under Health and Safety Code Section 13113.7, dwellings must have smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. Carbon monoxide alarms are required under the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (SB 183) in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.
California Health and Safety Code § 13113.7
(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 Janu...
Backyard recreational fires are allowed in most unincorporated Sacramento County under Sacramento Metro Fire's California Fire Code rules - 3 feet by 2 feet maximum, 25 feet of clearance, constantly attended, with extinguishing equipment on hand. Burning trash, leaves, or yard waste in the backyard is prohibited by Sac Metro Air District, and no-burn days apply in winter.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Sacramento County follows the California Fire Code Chapter 61 as enforced by the local fire agency. Small portable cylinders for grills and camping have permit exemptions, but LP-gas may not be stored inside buildings except small approved cylinders, and larger tanks require setbacks and a fire-code permit.
10 cities in Sacramento 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
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
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