8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Sonoma County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fires and fire pits in unincorporated Sonoma County are governed by the County Fire Safety Ordinance (Chapter 13), which adopts the California Fire Code with local amendments. Open burning of vegetation requires a valid burn permit and a permissive burn day; gas and propane appliances avoid the wood-smoke restrictions that can apply on Spare the Air days.
Sonoma County Fire Code (Ord. 2023-01) Section 105.5.54(5)
5. Bonfires or rubbish fires. An operational permit is required to kindle or authorize the kindling or maintenance of bonfires or rubbish fires.
All fireworks are illegal in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' devices and sparklers. There is no legal-sale window. Violators may be arrested, fined, or jailed, with penalties increasing for dangerous fireworks. Permitted public displays require a separate Permit Sonoma fireworks permit.
Sonoma County Fire Code (Ord. 2023-01) Section 5608.2
5608.2 Limitations. Possession, storage, offer or expose for sale, sell at retail, gift or give away, use, explode, discharge, or in any manner dispose of fireworks is prohibited within the limits established by law as the limits of the districts in which such possession, storage, offer or exposure for sale, retail sale, gifting, use, explosion, discharge, or disposal of fireworks is prohibited...
Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A requires owners of parcels in the unincorporated area to maintain defensible space and abate hazardous vegetation year-round. Improved parcels in the Local Responsibility Area must keep 30 feet of defensible space (up to 100 feet if conditions require), limb trees, and clear roadside vegetation. Non-compliance can be abated by the County with costs liened to the property.
California Public Resources Code § 4291
(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 consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced ...
Open burning of vegetation in unincorporated Sonoma County requires a current, valid burn permit from Permit Sonoma plus a permissive burn day from the local air district. Piles are limited to 4 feet in diameter and height, must be cleared 10 feet to bare soil, attended by an adult, and contain only dry natural vegetation - never trash.
Sonoma County Fire Code (Ord. 2023-01) Section 307.2
307.2 Permit Required. Prior to commencement of open burning, a burning permit shall be obtained pursuant to section 13-71 of the Sonoma County Code.
Much of unincorporated Sonoma County lies within Fire Hazard Severity Zones, including State Responsibility Area and Very High zones, reflecting catastrophic fires like Tubbs (2017), Kincade (2019), and Glass (2020). New construction in WUI/SRA and Very High zones must meet ignition-resistant standards under California Building Code Chapter 7A, and SRA/Very High projects require a fire protection plan reviewed before permit issuance.
Sonoma County Fire Code (Ord. 2023-01) Section 4905.4
4905.4 Setbacks for Structure Defensible Space. Except where more restrictive requirements apply, construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of buildings constructed on parcels within State Responsibility Areas (SRA) shall provide setbacks from the property line and/or exterior wall protection according to table 4905.4(a) or table 4905.4(b), in accordance with Califo...
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in unincorporated Sonoma County follow the California Residential Code as adopted through the County's building and fire codes, plus statewide point-of-sale law. Residential permits over $1,000 in valuation trigger alarm upgrades throughout the dwelling, and at least one CO device must be installed when residential property is sold.
Backyard burning of vegetation in unincorporated Sonoma County is allowed only with a valid Permit Sonoma burn permit on a permissive burn day, with piles capped at 4 feet, a 10-foot bare-soil clearance, an adult in attendance, and no burning on windy days. Only dry natural vegetation may be burned - trash and debris are prohibited - and burning is suspended during high fire danger.
Sonoma County Fire Code (Ord. 2023-01) Section 307.2
307.2 Permit Required. Prior to commencement of open burning, a burning permit shall be obtained pursuant to section 13-71 of the Sonoma County Code.
Propane (LP-gas) and petroleum storage in unincorporated Sonoma County is regulated through the California Fire Code adopted in County Code Chapter 13 and Permit Sonoma's hazardous-materials program. LP-gas installations require a Fire Code permit before filling, and aboveground petroleum facilities of 1,320 gallons or more must maintain a federal SPCC plan under the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act.
Sonoma County Fire Code, CFC Secs. 6104.2 (amended) and 6107.5 (added), Ordinance No. 2023-01
(111) California Fire Code, Section 6104.2 is amended to read: 6104.2 Maximum Capacity Within Established Limits. Within the limits established by law restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 2,000 gallons in any area as established by applica...
4 cities in Sonoma County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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