Tulare County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Tulare County's open-burning framework comes from three layers: (1) Part 4, Chapter 5 (Safety Regulations) of the County Ordinance Code, which authorizes the County Fire Chief to regulate hazardous outdoor fires; (2) the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103, which governs open burning and 'Burn / No-Burn' day calls covering the entire valley floor portion of Tulare County (roughly Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba); and (3) CAL FIRE's burn-permit and burn-suspension authority in the State Responsibility Area covering the Sierra foothills and Sequoia National Forest gateway communities (Three Rivers, Springville, California Hot Springs). Backyard recreational fires (cooking, warming) using clean dry wood or charcoal are generally permitted but must be in an approved pit, kept small, attended, and at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible vegetation, consistent with California Fire Code section 307 adopted via Tulare County Code Title 7. Burning of leaves, trimmings, and other yard waste in the valley airshed is restricted by Air District Rule 4103. CAL FIRE typically suspends burn permits between May and the first significant rain. Contact: Tulare County Fire Prevention (559) 802-9700; San Joaquin Valley APCD (559) 230-6000.