Tuolumne County Burn Bans Rules (2026) — What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsKey Facts
- Burn Permit Required
- Yes — CAL FIRE permit via burnpermit.fire.ca.gov
- APCD Notification
- Required before each burn — (209) 533-5691
- Burn Day Hotline
- (209) 533-5598
- Max Pile Size
- 4 feet in diameter
- Burn Barrels
- Prohibited
- Fireworks
- All types illegal countywide
The Short Version
Tuolumne County requires a CAL FIRE burn permit and Air Pollution Control District (APCD) notification before any open burning. Burn permits are obtained online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. Before each burn, you must call the APCD at (209) 533-5691 or check the Burn Day Hotline at (209) 533-5598 to confirm it is an approved burn day. Pile size is limited to 4 feet in diameter. Burn barrels are prohibited. All fireworks — including "safe and sane" varieties — are illegal throughout Tuolumne County.
Full Breakdown
Open burning in Tuolumne County is tightly regulated due to the high wildfire risk in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Before burning anything — vegetation, brush piles, or agricultural waste — you need two things: a valid CAL FIRE burn permit and clearance from the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).
Burn permits are free and obtained online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. The permit is valid for the calendar year but does not authorize burning on any given day. Before each burn, you must report your pile to the APCD at (209) 533-5691 or email AirPollution@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov, then check whether it's an approved burn day by calling the Burn Day Hotline at (209) 533-5598. Burning on a non-burn day carries significant fines.
Pile size is capped at 4 feet in diameter when CAL FIRE permits are required. Burn barrels are prohibited countywide. You cannot burn vegetation that was transported from another property — only material cleared from the parcel where burning takes place.
All fireworks are illegal in Tuolumne County, including "safe and sane" varieties that are legal in some other California jurisdictions. This is a countywide ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors. Violations carry substantial fines and potential civil liability for any resulting fire damage. Under state law, possession of illegal fireworks can result in fines up to $50,000 and one year in jail.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Burning without a permit or on a non-burn day can result in fines from both CAL FIRE and the APCD. Fireworks violations carry fines up to $50,000 and potential jail time of up to one year under California law. If a fire escapes and damages property, the person who started it can be held civilly liable for all suppression costs and property damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a burn permit in Tuolumne County?
Are any fireworks legal in Tuolumne County?
Can I use a burn barrel to burn trash?
What is the fine for setting off fireworks?
Sources & Official References
Related Ordinances in Tuolumne County
How does Tuolumne County compare?
See how Tuolumne County's burn bans rules stack up against other locations.