Chino, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Chino contracts fire services to the Chino Valley Independent Fire Protection District (CVFD), which adopts and enforces the California Fire Code under CVFD Ordinance 2022-01 (effective March 2022) and Ordinance 2025-01 (adopted July 9, 2025; effective September 1, 2025). Under CFC §307.4.2, open burning recreational fires (such as backyard wood-fueled fires) must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, must burn only seasoned firewood (no rubbish, leaves, or yard waste — those are banned by SCAQMD Rule 444), and must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. Portable outdoor fireplaces (chimineas, store-bought metal fire pits with screens) get a more permissive 15-foot setback. A constantly attended water source or fire-extinguishing equipment must be on hand, and a competent person must supervise until the fire is fully extinguished. Gas-fueled fire features (propane or natural gas) are exempt from the open-burning prohibitions and are regulated as appliances under CFC Chapter 6. The South Coast Air Quality Management District covers Chino: Rule 445 (Wood-Burning Devices) imposes mandatory No-Burn alerts on high-PM days from November through February, applying to wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits (gas-fueled units are exempt). Fires may not be lit when sustained winds exceed 15 mph or when the Fire Marshal declares red-flag conditions.