Tulare County, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Tulare County treats backyard burning under two distinct rule sets. (1) Recreational fires — small wood or charcoal fires for cooking, warmth, or ceremonial use — fall under the California Fire Code as adopted by Tulare County Ordinance Code Chapter 7-15. CFC § 307.4 limits recreational fire areas to three feet in diameter, requires noncombustible containment, allows only clean dry wood or charcoal as fuel, and requires that dry weeds and other hazards nearby be eliminated before ignition; at one- and two-family dwellings the 10-foot setback from structures does not apply, but for other properties a 10-foot clearance from structures and combustibles is required. (2) Debris burning — leaves, brush, tree trimmings, or any open burning of vegetation — is regulated by Cal Fire (in the State Responsibility Area) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) for the valley floor. Debris burning requires a current Cal Fire residential burn permit (free at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov), must occur only on SJVAPCD-declared permissive burn days, must use piles no larger than 4 ft × 4 ft with a 10-foot cleared perimeter, and must have a shovel and water source on hand. Cal Fire and the Tulare County Fire Department can — and routinely do — suspend all outdoor burning during fire season; during suspensions, even compliant backyard fires can become unlawful. Property owners also have a continuing duty under Tulare County Ord. Code Ch. 4-11 (Fire Hazardous Weeds and Rubbish) to remove dry weeds, rank growth, and combustible rubbish that create fire hazards on their land — failure to abate can result in county-imposed liens. CA Health & Safety Code §§ 13007 and 13009 impose civil liability for any escaped fire, including suppression costs.