Backyard recreational fires are allowed in Cupertino under the adopted 2022 California Fire Code, but must stay 25 feet from structures, be constantly attended, and never burn yard waste. Air-district Spare the Air burn bans prohibit wood fires on many winter days.
Cupertino has no ordinance specific to backyard fires, so the adopted California Fire Code (CMC Chapter 16.40) controls. Under CFC 307.4.2, a recreational fire, meaning a small wood or charcoal outdoor fire not in a fireplace, must not be within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must stay 15 feet away under CFC 307.4.3. All fires must be attended until fully out, with a garden hose or 4-A extinguisher on hand per CFC 307.5. Only clean, dry firewood may be burned. Burning leaves, grass, or refuse is prohibited by BAAQMD Regulation 5, and no wood fires are allowed during a Winter Spare the Air burn ban. Extra clearance applies in the foothill fire zone.
Fires too close to structures, left unattended, fueled with yard waste, or lit on a Spare the Air ban day can be cited by the Santa Clara County Fire Department. BAAQMD may add penalties for burning prohibited materials.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under California's SB 1383, Cupertino residents and businesses must keep food scraps and yard trimmings out of the trash and use Recology South Bay's organic...
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Artificial turf is not counted as drought-tolerant landscaping in California, and under SB 676 (Government Code 53087.7) cities like Cupertino may regulate s...
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Cupertino's Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 14.15) implements California's MWELO and caps turf at 25% of landscape area, favoring...
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Cupertino places no ban on residential rainwater harvesting and actively encourages on-site rainwater and graywater capture in its Water-Efficient Landscape ...
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Cupertino has permanent water-waste prohibitions under Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, banning runoff, hosing pavement, and un-nozzled hoses. Water is supplied...
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Cupertino declares overgrown weeds and dry brush a fire nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 9.08, enforced through a Santa Clara County weed abatement prog...
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