LAFD allows portable fire pits with seasoned wood, 10-foot clearance, and full extinguishment. SCAQMD Rule 444 bans open burning. Red Flag days suspend all outdoor fires.
Los Angeles Fire Department rules allow portable recreational fire pits and chimineas in backyards only when using seasoned clean wood, never trash or yard debris. Fires must be at least 10 feet from any structure, fence, or overhanging vegetation, attended by an adult, and fully extinguished with water before leaving. South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 444 prohibits open burning of landscape waste and most open fires across LA County. On Red Flag weather warning days declared by the National Weather Service and LAFD, all outdoor burning including recreational fire pits is suspended citywide. Hillside properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) such as Beachwood Canyon, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades face additional LAFD restrictions and brush clearance obligations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle backyard fires.
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