Daly City, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Daly City, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Allowed devices
- Chimineas, fire bowls, portable fireplaces, BBQ grills
- Allowed fuels
- Clean dry wood, charcoal, propane, natural gas
- Banned fuels
- Garbage, plastics, yard waste, treated wood
- Spare the Air Alerts
- All wood fires illegal, $100+ tickets
- Clearance
- 25 ft open fires; 15 ft portable fireplaces
Summary
Backyard fires in chimineas, fire bowls, and portable fireplaces are allowed in Daly City under the adopted California Fire Code, but only burning clean fuels -- never rubbish or yard waste -- and never during a Bay Area Spare the Air Alert, when all wood burning is illegal indoors and outdoors.
It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to use their fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits or any other wood-burning devices during a Spare the Air Alert.
Full Breakdown
010, together with Bay Area Air Quality Management District rules. A backyard fire qualifies as a recreational fire only when burning materials other than rubbish, with fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter, kept 25 feet from structures and combustibles, and constantly attended; manufactured portable outdoor fireplaces such as chimineas and fire bowls may be used 15 feet from structures per manufacturer instructions. Burning leaves, prunings, garbage, plastics, or other trash in a backyard fire is illegal under BAAQMD Regulation 5 and the Wood-Burning Devices rule, which 'bans burning of garbage, plastics, and other toxic materials' and limits excessive smoke whenever burning is allowed.
During a Spare the Air Alert -- which BAAQMD can call any time of year when fine particulate pollution is forecast to be unhealthy -- it is illegal for Bay Area residents to use fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, or any other wood-burning device. Barbecue grills used for cooking and gas-fueled appliances are not subject to the wood-burning ban.
Violations & Fines
Spare the Air violations carry a $100 first ticket (waivable by completing a wood smoke awareness course) and $500 for a second violation, increasing thereafter. Fire code violations, including unattended or oversized fires, are misdemeanors under DCMC section 15.32.190 punishable per section 1.12.010, and the fire department can order any hazardous or objectionable fire extinguished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a chiminea or portable fire bowl in Daly City?
Can I cook over a wood or charcoal fire during a Spare the Air Alert?
Can I burn yard trimmings in my backyard fire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Daly City
How Daly City compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Daly City 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.