Huntington Beach Backyard Fire Regulations Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Huntington Beach regulates backyard fires through a combination of the California Fire Code (as locally adopted), the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations. Recreational fires — meaning small fires conducted for pleasure, cooking, or warmth rather than for waste disposal — are permitted when they are contained in an approved fire pit, chiminea, or permanently installed outdoor fireplace that complies with the applicable setback and clearance requirements.

The California Fire Code requires recreational fires to be located a minimum of 15 feet from any structure, fence, overhead branch, or combustible material. The fire must be attended at all times by a responsible adult, and a means of extinguishment (garden hose or fire extinguisher) must be readily accessible. Only clean, dry, seasoned wood or commercially manufactured fire logs may be used as fuel. Burning of treated wood, painted wood, plywood, particleboard, trash, plastics, or any material other than clean firewood is prohibited.

SCAQMD Rule 444 governs all outdoor burning in the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which includes Huntington Beach and all of Orange County. Under Rule 444, open burning for waste disposal is prohibited year-round. Recreational wood fires are permitted on non-curtailment days, but SCAQMD issues mandatory no-burn curtailment notices during poor air quality periods (typically winter inversion events) when all wood burning — including recreational fires — is prohibited throughout the basin. The Huntington Beach Fire Department may also suspend all outdoor fires during Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service, during which time any open flame outdoors, including fire pits, is prohibited.