San Diego County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in San Diego County, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Setback from structures
- 15 feet minimum
- Exception
- One- and two-family dwellings exempt
- Attendance
- Adult must constantly attend fire
- Extinguishing equipment
- 4-A extinguisher or sand/water on hand
- Spark arrester
- ½-inch mesh for warming fires
Summary
Portable outdoor fireplaces and fire pits in unincorporated San Diego County must stay at least 15 feet from structures and combustibles, except at one- and two-family homes, and someone must watch the fire until it's fully out.
Sec. 307.4.3 Portable outdoor fireplaces. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet (3048 mm) of a structure or combustible material or combustible materials. Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one-and two-family dwellings. All "warming fires", by which open burning of wood, shall have installed a "spark arrester" of ½" screen mesh or smaller or used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
San Diego County's Fire Code amendments require portable outdoor fireplaces to be used per the manufacturer's instructions and kept at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material, under Section 307.4.3 of the California Fire Code as amended by the county. The county exempts one- and two-family dwellings from that setback, but any open wood-burning "warming fire" must have a spark arrester of half-inch mesh or smaller. Separately, Section 307.5 requires that open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces be constantly attended by an adult, with a fire extinguisher or other suppression equipment such as sand or a hose on hand until the fire is fully out.
Violations & Fines
Violating the setback or attendance requirement is a Fire Code violation enforceable by the county fire authority, with citations, fines, and mandatory extinguishment of an unattended fire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in unincorporated San Diego County?
Do I need to watch a fire pit while it's burning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
How San Diego County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego 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.