Small backyard recreational fires are allowed in Santa Clara in a manufactured container, kept under 3 feet and 10 feet from structures. Larger bonfires are not permitted in residential yards.
Under the California Fire Code adopted by Santa Clara County Fire, a recreational fire is defined as an outdoor fire burning clean wood or charcoal with a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, for pleasure, cooking, or similar purposes. Such a fire does not require a permit but must be attended at all times, extinguished before the user leaves, and kept at least 10 feet from structures, fences, and combustible vegetation. Bonfires exceeding those dimensions require a Fire Code Permit from Santa Clara County Fire. Burning trash, construction debris, or treated wood is always prohibited. During Bay Area Spare the Air Alerts the use of wood as fuel is banned even for permitted fires.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle backyard fires.
See how Santa Clara's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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