8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Santa Barbara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Small recreational fires are exempt from a burn permit in unincorporated Santa Barbara County when the device is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height and burns clean fuel. Under the adopted California Fire Code, a recreational fire must stay at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and be constantly attended.
Santa Barbara County Code § 15-3 (adopting 2022 CFC § 307.4); Ordinance 5170 (adopted 12-6-2022)
SECTION 307 -- OPEN BURNING, RECREATIONAL FIRES AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES is adopted in its entirety. ... Recreational Fire: A fire that involves the burning of materials other than rubbish, where the fuel being burned is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.
All fireworks, including 'safe and sane' fireworks, are illegal in every unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County. The County Fire Department states there is no place in the unincorporated county where fireworks may be sold, possessed, or used. California Health & Safety Code adds statewide penalties for dangerous fireworks.
Santa Barbara County Code § 15-121(a) (Ordinance 5170, adopted 12-6-2022)
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter of the Santa Barbara County Code... is, for each and every such violation and noncompliance respectively, severally guilty of a crime. The offense may be filed either as an infraction or a misdemeanor at the discretion of the district attorney.
Santa Barbara County Fire requires defensible space clearance of not less than 100 feet around all structures (or to the property line, whichever is closer), under California Public Resources Code section 4291 and county vegetation management ordinances. County Fire conducts over 15,500 inspections a year; noncompliant owners receive a misdemeanor citation.
Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 4291 - Defensible space requirements; State Responsibility Areas
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 conside...
Burning waste of any kind in an open fire is prohibited across the Santa Barbara County APCD jurisdiction. Backyard burning of dry yard trimmings is allowed only by Fire Department permit, only in the Northern Zone, only on permissive burn days in February, May, August, and November, and only in low fire-season conditions.
Santa Barbara County Code Ch. 15, § 15-3 (adopting 2022 CFC § 307); Ordinance 5170 (adopted 12-6-2022)
SECTION 307 -- OPEN BURNING, RECREATIONAL FIRES AND PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES is adopted in its entirety.
Much of unincorporated Santa Barbara County lies in CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones rated Moderate, High, or Very High. CAL FIRE released updated Local Responsibility Area maps on March 10, 2025 (the first update since 2009), and local agencies must adopt the new zones within 120 days. Designation triggers defensible space and ignition-resistant building requirements.
Cal. Pub. Res. Code §§ 4201-4204; 14 CCR § 1280 - Fire Hazard Severity Zones (CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal)
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 and C...
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in unincorporated Santa Barbara County come from California law and the adopted California Residential/Building Codes, not a special county ordinance. California Health & Safety Code section 13113.7 requires smoke alarms in dwelling units, and section 17926.1 requires carbon monoxide alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
A small backyard recreational fire (cooking or ceremonial) is permit-exempt only if the device is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Burning yard waste is heavily restricted: it requires a Fire Department permit, is limited to the Northern Zone, and is allowed only on permissive burn days in February, May, August, and November.
Santa Barbara County Code § 15-3, Fee Schedule items 105.5.34–105.5.34.3 (Ordinance 5170, adopted 12-6-2022)
105.5.34 Open burning $50.00 / Burn Permit Program (1-3 below) $99.00 / 105.5.34.1 Agricultural / 105.5.34.2 Backyard / 105.5.34.3 Fire Hazard Reduction.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is governed by the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, not a special county rule. Storage, handling, and equipment installation must comply with Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, and on combustible balconies LP-gas containers over 2.5 pounds water capacity are prohibited (CFC 308.1.4).
2 cities in Santa Barbara County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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