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

03 treats a fire pit or ring as an open campfire, defined to include a fire placed or contained in an outdoor or portable cooking device, a ring, a pit, or otherwise, on public property outside parks and open space. 040's additional requirements govern how it must be used: the device or fire must be located at least fifteen feet from any structure, and separately at least fifteen feet from brush, trees, grasses, weeds, combustibles or other fire fuel. It can only burn approved fuel, meaning propane, natural gas, charcoal or seasoned logs sized to fit the device; burning yard waste, lumber, unseasoned logs, garbage, refuse or trash is barred.

Someone over the age of eighteen must constantly tend the fire until it is fully extinguished, and a portable fire extinguisher rated at least 2-A:10-BC, or another approved extinguishing agent such as sand, dirt or water in sufficient quantity, must be kept available for immediate use. No fire pit may be used in a way that emits offensive or objectionable smoke or odors, or when wind or other atmospheric conditions make the fire hazardous, giving the police chief and fire chief a basis to shut one down on the spot regardless of an existing permit.