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Burbank, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Fire pit rules in Burbank, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.

Key Facts

Code Section
BMC 9-1-9 (adopts 2025 CFC); CFC 307.4
Recreational fire setback
25 ft from structures/combustibles (CFC 307.4.2)
Portable fireplace setback
15 ft, except 1-2 family dwellings (CFC 307.4.3)
Attendance
Must be constantly attended until extinguished (CFC 307.5)

Summary

Burbank has no fire-pit-specific ordinance, but it adopts the 2025 California Fire Code in Burbank Municipal Code 9-1-9, which governs recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces. Under the adopted code a recreational fire must be kept 25 feet from structures and combustibles, and a portable outdoor fireplace 15 feet (except at one- and two-family dwellings), and the fire must be constantly attended until extinguished.

ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE: Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, also known as the "California Fire Code," which is part of the California Building Standards Code, 2025 Edition, including the table of contents, all annexes, appendices, and the index, as adopted by the California Building Standards Commission and the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by the City of Burbank and made a part of this Code, with certain amendments, additions, and deletions as stated in this Article. [Added by Ord. No. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26.]

Source: Burbank Municipal Code Section 9-1-9-307.1.1.1 - Open Burning GeneralView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-4,038, passed February 24, 2026).

Full Breakdown

By BMC 9-1-9, Part 9 of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (the California Fire Code, 2025 Edition) 'is hereby adopted by the City of Burbank and made a part of this Code.' That base code, at CFC Section 307.4, sets the operative fire-pit rules: recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material (CFC 307.4.2), portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material except at one- and two-family dwellings (CFC 307.4.3), and all such fires must be constantly attended until extinguished (CFC 307.5). The Fire Code Official retains authority to order any fire extinguished that creates a hazard. Burbank's local amendments (Ord. 25-4,034, eff. 1/1/26) address open burning permits and prohibited locations but do not loosen these recreational-fire setbacks.

Violations & Fines

A violation of any provision of the Burbank Municipal Code, including the adopted Fire Code, is a misdemeanor unless classified or charged as an infraction (BMC 1-1-105). The Fire Code Official may also order an unsafe fire extinguished and pursue corrective-action cost recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a backyard fire pit in Burbank?
Burbank has no ordinance banning residential fire pits, but you must follow the adopted California Fire Code: keep a recreational fire 25 feet from anything that can burn, keep a portable outdoor fireplace 15 feet away (this distance is excepted at one- and two-family homes), and never leave the fire unattended.
Do I need a permit for a backyard fire pit?
A normal recreational fire at a home is not the same as 'open burning,' which does require a Fire Code Official permit under BMC 9-1-9-307.1.1.1. Check directly with the Burbank Fire Department, and never burn on a Spare the Air / South Coast AQMD no-burn day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Burbank

All Burbank rules

How Burbank compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Burbank to another location·View the California fire regulations overview

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