Butte County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Butte County, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Permit
- CAL FIRE - free at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov
- Pile diameter
- Max 4 ft (lots <= 1 acre)
- Setback from dwellings
- 25 ft minimum
- Clearance ring
- 10 ft to mineral soil
- Adult attendance
- Required until dead out
- Poison oak
- Burning prohibited
Summary
Backyard ('dooryard') burning at a single- or two-family residence in unincorporated Butte County is permitted only with a CAL FIRE burn permit, on a Permissive Burn Day, during posted burn hours, and only of natural vegetation grown on the property. Pile size and clearance restrictions apply, and burning is suspended entirely during peak wildfire season under PRC Section 4423.
If the homeowner lives on a lot equal to or less than 1 acre, burn piles can only be 4 feet by 4 feet in size. The pile size may not exceed four (4) feet in diameter. All areas within ten (10) feet of the pile must be free and clear of all vegetation and flammable material. A responsible adult must be in attendance of the fire at all times until the fire is dead out. You must have enough water available to extinguish the fire if needed. Piles must be 25+ feet from neighbors' occupied dwellings. Burning poison oak is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Per the BCAQMD's residential burning rule, on parcels of one acre or less the burn pile may not exceed 4 feet in diameter, and the pile must be at least 25 feet from any neighboring occupied dwelling. The 10-foot perimeter around any pile must be cleared of all vegetation and flammable material down to mineral soil, a responsible adult must remain in attendance until the fire is dead out, and sufficient water must be on-hand to extinguish the fire. Burning of poison oak is expressly prohibited.
during May through October when permits are required; Paradise extends to dusk. com began June 16, 2025. State law (Public Resources Code Section 4423) makes it a misdemeanor to burn anything in a State Responsibility Area during a declared closed season without lawful authority.
Violations & Fines
Burning without a permit, on a no-burn day, of prohibited materials, or during a fire-season suspension is a misdemeanor under PRC Section 4423 and BCAQMD rules. If the fire escapes control, the responsible party is civilly liable for fire-suppression and rescue costs under H&S Code Section 13009, and may face felony reckless-arson charges under Penal Code Section 452.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a backyard burn pile inside Chico city limits?
How far must my burn pile be from my neighbor's house?
Can I burn yard waste from a tree my landscaper removed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
How Butte County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Butte County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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