Fire pit rules in Hayward, CA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Hayward allows propane and natural gas fire pits; wood-burning outdoor fire pits are heavily restricted under BAAQMD Spare the Air rules and fire code.
Hayward residents may use gas-fueled fire pits year-round without a permit, provided the appliance is listed, stable, and kept at least 10 feet from structures, fences, and overhanging vegetation per California Fire Code Section 307. Wood-burning outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are subject to Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 6 Rule 3, which bans residential wood burning on mandatory Spare the Air alert days from November 1 through February 28. Burning of trash, leaves, or construction debris is never permitted. A responsible adult must supervise any open flame, and a garden hose or extinguisher must be within reach. Homes in the East Hayward Hills Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) should avoid wood-burning pits entirely during red flag warnings.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
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