6 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
San Luis Obispo County does not have a separate fire-pit chapter; outdoor recreational fires in unincorporated areas are governed by County Code 16.04.040 (burning limitations) and CAL FIRE/SLO County Fire's recreational-fire guidance, which restrict size, hours, attendance and clearance from combustibles.
San Luis Obispo County Code § 16.04.040 (Burning limitations)
In the county outside of incorporated cities and towns, it is unlawful for any person to build any fire out of doors for the purpose of burning papers, leaves, trash or other inflammable material whether in an incinerator or in small piles between the hours of nine a.m. of any one day and five a.m. of the following day, or within thirty feet of any building or structure or land covered with gra...
Effective June 19, 2025, an amended SLO County fireworks ordinance (Title 6, Chapter 6.32) bans all unpermitted fireworks — including 'safe and sane' devices — throughout the unincorporated county, with administrative fines up to $1,000 per discharge and criminal penalties for dangerous fireworks.
SLO County Code Title 6, Chapter 6.32 (Fireworks), as amended by 2025 ordinance effective June 19, 2025
All fireworks (use, sale, possession) are illegal within San Luis Obispo County [unincorporated areas]. ... A violation results in a misdemeanor citation with a fine of $2,000. ... Effective June 19, 2025, administrative fines of up to $1,000 per violation apply to any illegal fireworks activity; each discharge is a separate offense, and property owners and parents/guardians of minors are stric...
Properties in SLO County State Responsibility Areas and High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. Real-estate transfers of pre-2020 homes in these zones require a passing Defensible Space Inspection before sale (AB-38).
Cal. Public Resources Code § 4291 (Defensible Space)
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 consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so...
SLO County Code § 16.04.040 sharply limits open outdoor burning in unincorporated areas — banning it between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m. the following day, within 30 ft of structures or flammable vegetation, or while unattended — and SLO County APCD rules make burning trash, plastics, tires and treated lumber unlawful throughout the county.
San Luis Obispo County Code § 16.04.040 (Burning limitations)
In the county outside of incorporated cities and towns, it is unlawful for any person to build any fire out of doors for the purpose of burning papers, leaves, trash or other inflammable material whether in an incinerator or in small piles between the hours of nine a.m. of any one day and five a.m. of the following day, or within thirty feet of any building or structure or land covered with gra...
SLO County contains extensive High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, especially in coastal canyons, the Santa Lucia range, and inland chaparral. New construction must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A wildland-urban interface standards including Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, and dual-pane tempered glass.
Cal. Office of the State Fire Marshal (Fire Hazard Severity Zones; PRC §§ 4201-4204)
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 and Calif...
Backyard burning in unincorporated SLO County is allowed only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings outside Urban or Village Reserve Lines, on a declared Permissive Burn Day, with both an APCD permit (~$50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., subject to strict pile-size and setback limits.
SLO County APCD Backyard Burning Program (implementing APCD Rule 502 and SLO County Code § 16.04.040)
Backyard burning is permitted only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings located outside of Urban Reserve Line (URL) or Village Reserve Line (VRL) areas, and on a designated Permissive Burn Day ... Burning permitted only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Burn piles cannot be larger than 4 feet high by 6 feet diameter. 50 feet from neighboring property; 30 feet from structur...
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