Fire Regulations in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Fire Pit Rules

Fire pits in unincorporated Santa Clara County must comply with California Fire Code setback requirements and BAAQMD wood burning restrictions.

Santa Clara County Fire Pit Rules

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Fireworks

ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County has banned the sale, possession, storage, and use of fireworks in unincorporated areas since 1978 through Santa Clara County Ordinance Code Sections A33-61, A33-62, A33-64, and B7-15. State law (California Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.) separately prohibits all 'dangerous fireworks' (aerials, firecrackers, M-80s, etc.) statewide. Administrative fines start at $350 for the first violation and can reach $1,000+, and a 'social host' provision holds property owners responsible for fireworks discharged on their property.

Santa Clara County Fireworks Ban (All Fireworks Illegal)

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Brush Clearance

Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in Santa Clara County foothill VHFHSZ areas. CAL FIRE and county fire departments inspect annually with fines for noncompliance.

Brush Clearance Rules in Santa Clara County

Heavy Restrictions

Cal. Pub. 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... The intensity of fuels management may vary within the 100-foot perimeter of the structure,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning in Santa Clara County is tightly restricted under BAAQMD Regulation 5 and County Fire rules. Most residential yard-waste burning is prohibited; permits needed for ag and hazard fires.

Outdoor Burning Rules in Santa Clara County

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Wildfire Zones

CAL FIRE maps Santa Clara County foothills (Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range) as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. VHFHSZ designation triggers WUI building standards and defensible space rules.

Wildfire Zones in Santa Clara County

Heavy Restrictions

CAL FIRE OSFM Fire Hazard Severity Zones; Cal. Pub. Resources Code §§ 4201-4204

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 an...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Smoke Detectors

California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 requires working smoke alarms in all residences. Santa Clara County enforces this plus additional rules for battery-backup, interconnection, and carbon monoxide alarms.

Smoke Detector Requirements in Santa Clara County

Heavy Restrictions

Cal. Health & 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 Janua...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Backyard Fires

Wood-burning fire pits are restricted in Santa Clara County due to BAAQMD rules and fire-safety concerns. Gas and propane pits are allowed with setbacks. Spare the Air days ban all outdoor wood fires.

Backyard Fires and Fire Pits in Santa Clara County

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Propane Storage

Santa Clara County Fire Code under Title B incorporates the California Fire Code and IFC §6101 governing propane storage. Residential cylinders aggregating 10 gallons or less are exempt; aggregate quantities above 25 gallons require an SCCFD or CalFire CZU operational permit and IFC §6104 setbacks.