Recreational fires in Alameda County are regulated by BAAQMD Regulation 6 Rule 3 (wood-burning) and fire code Section 307. Fire pits must use clean seasoned wood or natural gas/propane, be 25 feet from structures, and are prohibited during Spare the Air alerts.
Backyard fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor fireplaces in Alameda County must comply with BAAQMD Regulation 6 Rule 3, which prohibits wood burning on Spare the Air alert days (November 1 through February 28) and bans the sale of wet or unseasoned wood. California Fire Code Section 307.4.2 requires recreational fires to be under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, and located at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material (15 feet for contained devices). Fires must be attended at all times with extinguishing means readily available. In Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) covering the eastern Alameda hills, additional restrictions or bans may apply during red flag warnings. Natural gas and propane fire features are generally exempt from Spare the Air restrictions and have reduced setbacks (typically 15 feet).
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County Code §6.60.050 prohibits repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing vehicles in residential areas between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. if it produces so...
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County Code §6.60.050 limits use of electric or gas leaf blowers, sweepers, vacuums, mowers, trimmers, edgers and hedgers in residential areas to 7 a...
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County Code §5.08.060 makes it unlawful for any person owning, keeping, or having custody of a dog or other animal to knowingly permit or suffer that...
Castro Valley, CA
Alameda County Code §6.60.080 exempts construction activity from Chapter 6.60 only if it occurs between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturd...
Castro Valley, CA
Castro Valley is unincorporated and operates under Alameda County Code Chapter 6.60 (Noise). §6.60.050 makes it a violation to operate any sound-producing de...
Castro Valley, CA
Heavy commercial vehicles - generally over 10,000 lbs GVW or 22 feet long - cannot be parked overnight on Castro Valley residential streets, and cannot be pa...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle backyard fires.
See how Castro Valley's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.