Daly City, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Recreational and cooking fires in Daly City are governed by the 2022 California Fire Code, adopted citywide by Municipal Code section 15.32.010, together with Bay Area Air Quality Management District rules. A backyard fire qualifies as a recreational fire only when burning materials other than rubbish, with fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter, kept 25 feet from structures and combustibles, and constantly attended; manufactured portable outdoor fireplaces such as chimineas and fire bowls may be used 15 feet from structures per manufacturer instructions. Burning leaves, prunings, garbage, plastics, or other trash in a backyard fire is illegal under BAAQMD Regulation 5 and the Wood-Burning Devices rule, which 'bans burning of garbage, plastics, and other toxic materials' and limits excessive smoke whenever burning is allowed. During a Spare the Air Alert -- which BAAQMD can call any time of year when fine particulate pollution is forecast to be unhealthy -- it is illegal for Bay Area residents to use fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood-burning device. Barbecue grills used for cooking and gas-fueled appliances are not subject to the wood-burning ban.