Santa Cruz County, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

Backyard fires in unincorporated Santa Cruz County fall into two regulatory tracks. A recreational fire (a small fire for warmth, ambiance, or cooking, including in a fire pit or chiminea) is governed by the California Fire Code adopted through County Code Chapter 7.92. Under CFC Section 307.4.2 it must be kept at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material and be constantly attended with an extinguishing method ready; portable outdoor fireplaces have a 15-foot rule with an exception for one- and two-family dwellings. By contrast, burning yard waste or brush piles is 'open burning,' which requires a CAL FIRE residential burn permit, a Monterey Bay Air Resources District smoke-management permit, the open burn season (about December 1 to May 1), and a permissive burn day; pile size is capped at 4 by 4 by 4 feet. Because the unincorporated county is overwhelmingly within High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and the Wildland-Urban Interface, the fire authority (CAL FIRE / county fire districts) can suspend all outdoor burning during fire season, red-flag warnings, or local burn bans. Always confirm the current burn-day status with MBARD at 1-800-225-2876 before lighting any outdoor fire, and never leave a fire unattended.