Fire Regulations in Ventura County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Ventura County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Fire pits, fire rings and barbecue grills are allowed only in County-designated areas of Ventura County parks; open ground fires anywhere else in a park are illegal.
Ventura County Park Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 6307-3(b)
No person shall ignite or kindle a fire in any location in a County Park except in areas designated by the County for fires. (a)No person shall allow any lighted tobacco product, or any burning or combustible material that could set fire to grass, shrub, trees, building or any other combustible substance to be deposited any place except areas designated for disposal of burning or combustible...
Brush Clearance
Property owners in unincorporated Ventura County must maintain defensible space, enforced by the Ventura County Fire Protection District under California Public Resources Code §4291. The standard is up to 100 ft of clearance around structures, and county requirements exceed state law. Effective January 1, 2026, VCFPD Ordinance 34 requires sellers in High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to document compliance.
Ventura County Brush Clearance / Defensible Space (Unincorporated)
Light RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291
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, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary sha...
Outdoor Burning
Discarding lit tobacco, embers or any burning material anywhere in a Ventura County park except a designated disposal area is banned under the county park safety ordinance.
Ventura County Park Open Burning Ban
Some RestrictionsVentura County Ordinance Code § 6307-3(a)
No person shall allow any lighted tobacco product, or any burning or combustible material that could set fire to grass, shrub, trees, building or any other combustible substance to be deposited any place except areas designated for disposal of burning or combustible materials.(b)No person shall ignite or kindle a fire for cooking, including, but not limited to fires for barbecue grills, stoves,...
Wildfire Zones
Much of unincorporated Ventura County lies in Fire Hazard Severity Zones, Moderate, High, or Very High, mapped by CAL FIRE's Office of the State Fire Marshal. The 2025 Local Responsibility Area maps were adopted by the Ventura County Fire Protection District via Ordinance 33, effective July 1, 2025. A zone drives defensible-space, building, and point-of-sale obligations.
Ventura County Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Unincorporated)
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code §§ 4201-4204; CCR Title 14 § 1280
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 Detectors
In unincorporated Ventura County, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are required under the Ventura County Building Code, which adopts California Residential Code §R314 and §R315. When work on a dwelling exceeds $1,000 in value, alarms must be brought up to code in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. CO alarms apply where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist.
Ventura County Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules (Unincorporated)
Light RestrictionsCalifornia 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 Janu...
Fire Regulations by City in Ventura County
10 cities in Ventura County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fireworks
2 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Wildfire Zones
4 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Outdoor Burning
7 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
3 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Outdoor Burning
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fireworks
3 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Smoke Detectors
3 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Smoke Detectors
3 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Smoke Detectors
2 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Wildfire Zones
All Ventura County ordinances
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