Backyard fires are allowed in Union City as small recreational fires under the California Fire Code, but must stay 25 feet from structures, be constantly attended, and are banned on Bay Area Winter Spare the Air Alert days. Cooking fires are treated separately.
A backyard fire in Union City is treated as a 'recreational fire' under the 2025 California Fire Code adopted in Union City Municipal Code Chapter 15.20, with the Alameda County Fire Department providing fire prevention. A recreational fire is a small outdoor fire (generally no larger than 3 feet across and 2 feet high) used for cooking, warmth, or similar purposes, burning clean wood rather than rubbish. Under California Fire Code Section 307, such a fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material (15 feet for a portable outdoor fireplace, with an exception for one- and two-family dwellings), and it must be constantly attended until fully extinguished, with a garden hose, fire extinguisher, dirt, sand,
Backyard fires that violate Fire Code clearance or attendance rules can be abated by the Alameda County Fire Department. Burning wood during a Spare the Air Alert violates BAAQMD Regulation 6, Rule 3; the Air District typically issues a warning
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Union City does not restrict backyard composting, and its Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC 18.112) requires compost in permitted landscape installat...
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Union City has no ordinance banning artificial turf on private property, and California Civil Code 4735 voids HOA rules prohibiting synthetic grass. For perm...
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Union City's Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC Chapter 18.112) implements California's MWELO. New landscapes of 500+ sq ft and rehab projects of 2,50...
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Union City does not prohibit residential rainwater capture. California's Rainwater Capture Act allows rooftop collection without a water right, and the City'...
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Union City's water purveyor is the Alameda County Water District (ACWD), serving the Tri-City area. ACWD enforces permanent water-waste prohibitions year-rou...
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All weeds on streets, sidewalks, and private property in Union City are declared a public nuisance under UCMC Chapter 7.08. The Fire Chief gives a ten-day no...
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