San Luis Obispo County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Allowed Parcels
- 1- & 2-family dwellings outside URL/VRL only
- Hours
- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Permissive Burn Days only
- Pile Size
- Max 4 ft tall × 6 ft diameter
- Setbacks
- 50 ft from property line; 30 ft from structures; 15 ft from combustibles
- Permits
- APCD permit (~$50) AND CAL FIRE burn permit
Summary
Backyard burning in unincorporated SLO County is allowed only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings outside Urban or Village Reserve Lines, on a declared Permissive Burn Day, with both an APCD permit (~$50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., subject to strict pile-size and setback limits.
Backyard burning is permitted only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings located outside of Urban Reserve Line (URL) or Village Reserve Line (VRL) areas, and on a designated Permissive Burn Day ... Burning permitted only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Burn piles cannot be larger than 4 feet high by 6 feet diameter. 50 feet from neighboring property; 30 feet from structures; 15 ft from combustible materials.
Full Breakdown
The SLO County Air Pollution Control District's Backyard Burning Program, implementing the open-burning limits in County Code § 16.04.040 and APCD Rule 502, authorizes residential burning only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings located outside the Urban Reserve Line (URL) and Village Reserve Line (VRL). Burning is permitted only on declared Permissive Burn Days, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and pile size is capped at 4 feet high by 6 feet in diameter. Setbacks: at least 50 feet from any neighboring property, 30 feet from any structure, and 15 feet from combustible materials. Permitted materials are limited to dry vegetative debris; prohibited materials include rubber, plastic, hydrocarbons (diesel, oil, grease, solvents, paint), lumber and construction materials (whether or not treated), tar/creosote items, cannabis waste, and lawn clippings or piled leaves/pine needles. Both an APCD permit (approximately $50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit are required.
Violations & Fines
Burning without required permits, on a no-burn day, outside the 10 a.m.–4 p.m. window, or burning prohibited materials is a violation of APCD rules and County Code § 16.04.040; APCD may revoke the permit upon smoke/ash complaints, and CAL FIRE may pursue cost-recovery for any escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to burn yard debris in my backyard?
What can I burn in a permitted backyard pile?
How do I know if today is a Permissive Burn Day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
How San Luis Obispo County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.