8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Ventura County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Recreational fires and fire pits in unincorporated Ventura County follow the California Fire Code adopted by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (Ordinance 32). A fire pile may not exceed 3 ft × 2 ft and must sit 25 ft from structures; portable fireplaces need 15 ft. Fires must be attended; open flame may be banned in high fire danger.
All fireworks are illegal in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County, including state-approved 'safe and sane' fireworks. The Ventura County Fire Department confirms fireworks are not legal there. Any aerial or exploding firework is illegal to use or even possess countywide. Fillmore is the only county city allowing 'safe and sane.' Use or possession can bring a fine and jail.
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.
Cal. 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 open burning in unincorporated Ventura County is regulated by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District under Rule 56 and requires a permit through the Ventura County Fire Department. Lawful burning is essentially limited to agricultural plant material grown on the property; trash burning is prohibited. Burning is allowed only on designated burn days, never weekends or holidays.
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.
California 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...
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.
California 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...
Backyard fires in unincorporated Ventura County split two ways. Burning yard waste or trash is open burning under VCAPCD Rule 56, with no permitted residential pathway. Small recreational fires are allowed under California Fire Code §307.4.2: a pile no larger than 3 ft × 2 ft, kept 25 ft from structures and attended. Open flame can be banned in Red Flag events.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Ventura County follows California Fire Code Chapter 61, adopted by the Ventura County Fire Protection District (2022 CFC, Ordinance 32). Residential tanks must meet minimum separation distances from buildings and lot lines by size; small barbecue cylinders are exempt. A single container over 2,000 gallons, or aggregate over 4,000 gallons water capacity, requires construction documents.
10 cities in Ventura County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
5 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
7 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
8 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Backyard Fires, Brush Clearance
7 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
6 verified rules • Brush Clearance, Fire Pit Rules
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