Backyard burning in unincorporated SLO County is allowed only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings outside Urban or Village Reserve Lines, on a declared Permissive Burn Day, with both an APCD permit (~$50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., subject to strict pile-size and setback limits.
The SLO County Air Pollution Control District's Backyard Burning Program — implementing the open-burning limits in County Code § 16.04.040 and APCD Rule 502 — authorizes residential burning only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings located outside the Urban Reserve Line (URL) and Village Reserve Line (VRL). Burning is permitted only on declared Permissive Burn Days, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and pile size is capped at 4 feet high by 6 feet in diameter. Setbacks: at least 50 feet from any neighboring property, 30 feet from any structure, and 15 feet from combustible materials. Permitted materials are limited to dry vegetative debris; prohibited materials include rubber, plastic, hydrocarbons (diesel, oil, grease, solvents, paint), lumber and construction materials (whether or not treated), tar/creosote items, cannabis waste, and lawn clippings or piled leaves/pine needles. Both an APCD permit (approximately $50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit are required.
Burning without required permits, on a no-burn day, outside the 10 a.m.–4 p.m. window, or burning prohibited materials is a violation of APCD rules and County Code § 16.04.040; APCD may revoke the permit upon smoke/ash complaints, and CAL FIRE may pursue cost-recovery for any escape.
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