8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Per the San Bernardino County Fire Department Outdoor Fire Requirements Guide, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces must stay within a 3-foot-wide by 2-foot-high fuel area and keep set distances from structures (25 feet for an open recreational fire; 15 feet for a permanent gas/propane fire ring or portable fireplace).
Possession of any fireworks, including state-approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks, is illegal in all unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County, according to San Bernardino County Fire. Aerial and exploding fireworks are banned statewide under California Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.
San Bernardino County Land Use Services requires property owners in wildfire-prone unincorporated areas to maintain defensible space by clearing flammable vegetation. The County advises maintaining 100 feet of defensible space, consistent with California Public Resources Code 4291. A seasonal Fire Hazard Abatement program inspects for compliance.
California Public Resources Code Section 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 of vegetation in unincorporated San Bernardino County requires an open fire permit from County Fire and approval from the governing air district (South Coast AQMD or Mojave Desert AQMD). South Coast AQMD prohibits ALL residential burning; trash, plastics, and burn barrels are banned everywhere.
Much of unincorporated San Bernardino County (San Bernardino Mountains, foothills, and wildland areas) lies in Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 4489 (June 10, 2025) designating Local Responsibility Area zones, and the County's Fire Safety Overlay (Development Code Chapter 82.13) imposes extra building standards.
California Public Resources Code 4201-4204; CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones
What are Fire Hazard Severity Zones? 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 Reg...
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in unincorporated San Bernardino County are governed by California law. Health & Safety Code 13113.7 requires smoke alarms in all dwellings, and Health & Safety Code 17926 requires carbon monoxide alarms in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated San Bernardino County must stay within a 3-foot by 2-foot fuel area, sit at least 25 feet from structures, burn only clean dry wood or charcoal (no trash), be attended by an adult, and be extinguished in high winds or Red Flag conditions. Fires are prohibited in Wildfire Risk Areas.
Propane storage in unincorporated San Bernardino County is governed by the 2022 California Fire Code Chapter 61, adopted by County Fire under Ordinance FPD 23-01. LP-gas containers must meet separation distances from buildings and lot lines, indoor storage of larger cylinders is prohibited, and County Fire requires a 10-foot vegetation clearance around tanks.
8 cities in San Bernardino County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
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