8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sutter County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Sutter County has no special countywide fire-pit ordinance, so the California Fire Code governs. Recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from anything combustible, and portable outdoor fireplaces at least 15 feet (exempt at one- and two-family homes). Burning vegetation in a fire pit also triggers FRAQMD open-burning rules.
Sutter County Ordinance Code sec. 600-120 (amending California Fire Code sec. 307.4.2)
Recreational Fires are allowed without a permit at the Live Oak Park or on private property with an owner's consent under the following circumstances: 1. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless in an approved appliance with a clearly visible manufacturer's listing and installed per manufacturer's listing. ... 2. Fires shall be limit...
Unlike most California counties, unincorporated Sutter County permits state-approved 'safe and sane' fireworks during the July 4 period. 'Dangerous' fireworks (firecrackers, rockets, mortars, aerials) are illegal everywhere, and a county dangerous-fireworks ordinance imposes a $1,000 fine plus a possible misdemeanor.
Sutter County Ordinance Code secs. 485-030(a), 485-040(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person or Responsible Party to possess, sell, use or discharge Dangerous Fireworks unless a permit authorizing such possession, sale, use or discharge has been issued by the Enforcing Officer to the person or Responsible Party using, selling, discharging or found in possession of said Dangerous Fireworks, and unless such person is in possession of a valid pyrotechni...
Most of Sutter County is flat farmland with low wildfire risk, but defensible space is required around structures in higher-hazard areas. California PRC 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space in State Responsibility Areas, and Sutter Buttes properties face the highest local fire hazard.
Sutter County Ordinance Code sec. 600-250
The County Fire Services Manager may clear or order the clearing of land, or remove or order the removal of dry grass, stubble, brush, rubbish, litter or other inflammable materials if in his judgment, the inflammable materials endanger the public safety by creating a fire hazard. The provisions of Part 5, Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California are made applicable ...
Open burning in unincorporated Sutter County is regulated by the Feather River Air Quality Management District (FRAQMD) Regulation II and CAL FIRE. Valley residential burn days are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; only dry vegetation grown on the property may be burned, and agricultural burning needs an FRAQMD permit.
FRAQMD Regulation II, Rule 2.0 (Open Burning), secs. F.1, H.1-H.2
F.1 Except as provided in these Rules and Regulations, no person or land manager shall conduct, allow, or use open fires for the purpose of disposal of any waste or other material. ... H.1 Permit Required: No person shall ignite any open fire, conduct, perform or participate in any open burning activity, or allow the open burning activity on any property under the person's possession without fi...
Sutter County is mostly flat irrigated farmland with low overall wildfire risk, but the Sutter Buttes carry higher grass/brush fire hazard. CAL FIRE updated its Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps in 2024-2025, adding higher-hazard Local Responsibility Area designations in parts of the county.
Cal. Public Resources Code sec. 4291(a)(1)(A), (a)(2)
Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line. ... Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe.
Sutter County follows California state law. Health & Safety Code 13113.7 requires State Fire Marshal-approved smoke alarms in every dwelling intended for human occupancy, and carbon monoxide alarms are required where there are fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. Operable alarms are required at sale or transfer.
Small recreational backyard fires for warmth or cooking are generally allowed under the California Fire Code - keep them 25 feet from anything combustible and attended. Burning yard waste is different: it is open burning regulated by FRAQMD and limited to burn days with dry, property-grown vegetation only.
FRAQMD Regulation II, Rule 2.0 (Open Burning), secs. L.2-L.4
L.2 Additional Requirements: (a) No person or land manager shall dispose of any material from any property by burning outdoors in a burn barrel or incinerator. (b) Paper, cardboard, and all prohibited materials shall be prohibited from burning. (c) All vegetation to be burned shall be generated from the property at which burning will occur. It is prohibited to burn imported vegetative materials...
Sutter County has no special propane ordinance; storage and use follow the California Fire Code and NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code). Small residential cylinders are allowed with clearance from buildings and ignition sources, while larger tanks (typically 125+ gallons) require permits and setback distances.
1 cities in Sutter County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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