Sonoma, CA Fire Regulations: Backyard Fires (2026)

There is no unrestricted right to a backyard fire in unincorporated Sonoma County. Any open burning of yard debris requires a current and valid residential burn permit from Permit Sonoma and confirmation that it is a permissive burn day from the applicable air district. Permit Sonoma also suspends all residential and agricultural burning during high-fire-danger periods; the most recent suspension was lifted November 1, 2024.

When burning is allowed, Permit Sonoma's conditions are strict and specific: piles 'should be no larger than four feet in diameter and in height'; 'clear a 10 foot diameter down to bare soil around your piles'; an adult must attend at all times; keep a shovel and water source nearby; and 'do NOT burn on windy days.' Only dry, natural vegetative material - leaves, pine needles, and tree trimmings - may be burned. Burning trash, painted wood, or other debris is prohibited.

Small recreational or warming fires and outdoor cooking are treated under the California Fire Code adopted in Chapter 13 of the County Code rather than the open-burning vegetation rules, but the same wildfire-safety logic applies: clearance, supervision, and avoiding windy conditions. Self-contained gas and propane appliances avoid the air-district wood-smoke restrictions. Because of Sonoma County's repeated catastrophic wildfires, any escaped or negligent fire can carry serious civil and criminal liability, and the County can and does suspend burning countywide on short notice.