Fire pit rules in San Luis Obispo County, CA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Outdoor open burning and recreational fires in unincorporated SLO County require permits from CAL FIRE/SLO County Fire and are restricted to designated burn periods. Fire pits using LPG or natural gas are generally allowed; wood-burning recreational fires are tightly regulated and frequently suspended during fire season.
SLO County Fire is operated jointly with CAL FIRE under the County Fire Department. Title 16 (Fire Prevention) of the County Code adopts the California Fire Code, which governs recreational fires, open burning, and outdoor cooking. Open burning of vegetation requires a CAL FIRE burn permit and is only permitted during declared burn periods, typically late fall through early spring. Wood-burning recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from structures and combustible vegetation, attended at all times, and equipped with a means of extinguishment. LPG and natural gas fire pits are generally permitted year-round, though they may be restricted during Red Flag Warnings. The County Fire Marshal can suspend all outdoor burning during high fire danger.
Illegal open burning or unpermitted fires are misdemeanors under the California Fire Code. Anyone causing a wildfire faces civil and criminal liability plus full reimbursement of suppression costs, which can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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See how San Luis Obispo County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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