Backyard burning in unincorporated Contra Costa County is tightly limited: BAAQMD Regulation 5 prohibits burning yard waste, and recreational wood fires aren't among its allowed categories. The Fire Code lets officials declare hazardous fires a public nuisance, and suppression costs can be billed to the property owner.
The rules stack against backyard wood fires here. BAAQMD Regulation 5 bans burning yard waste outright, and its list of allowable fire categories doesn't include residential recreational fires — so a wood-burning fire pit has no clear legal footing. The Fire Code adds enforcement teeth: hazardous conditions can be declared a public nuisance (Sections 202 and 324), the Fire Code Official can order any fire extinguished, and repeat violations accrue as new offenses every 10 days. If a fire spreads, Health & Safety Code §13009 lets the district bill the owner for suppression costs. The safer path is a UL-listed propane or natural-gas appliance kept clear of combustible construction — charcoal itself carries a 10-foot setback under Section 4104.2.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how Pittsburg's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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