Stanislaus County, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Stanislaus County Code Chapter 16.55 adopts the 2022 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) as the fire code of the county, enforced by the Stanislaus County Fire Prevention Division at 1010 Tenth Street Place, Modesto. Fire pits fall under California Fire Code Section 307. A "recreational fire" — an outdoor fire for cooking, warmth or similar purposes, no larger than 3 feet in diameter — shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material per Section 307.4.2. A manufactured portable outdoor fireplace, under Section 307.4.3, must be used per the manufacturer's instructions and not within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material (one- and two-family dwellings are excepted). Open burning, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces must be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished, and at least one 4-A rated fire extinguisher or other approved equipment (garden hose, dirt, sand, water barrel) must be immediately available, per Section 307. Importantly, a backyard fire pit may be used for clean firewood, but burning leaves, branches or other yard/landscape debris is prohibited by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, which states open burning of yard debris and burn barrels is strictly prohibited on the valley floor.