Indio, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Indio, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Indio Municipal Code § 93.10(B)
- Requirement
- UL or equivalent safety listing
- Alternative
- Field test report to City
- Also covers
- Barbecues and fireplaces
Summary
Indio lets residents use fire pits, but every outdoor fire appliance must carry a certified product-safety listing like UL before it's legal to burn in.
Any outdoor fire appliance is required to have a listing for product safety from a certified testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for the following, but not limited to, appliances: barbeque, fireplace or fire pit. The applicant can submit a field test report as to the safety of the subject appliance to the City to prove the appliance meets safety rating qualifications.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Indio Municipal Code § 93.10(B) requires every outdoor fire appliance, including a fire pit, barbecue, or fireplace, to carry a listing for product safety from a certified testing company such as Underwriters Laboratories before it can be used. If an appliance isn't independently listed, the applicant can instead submit a field test report to the City proving it meets the same safety-rating qualifications. This sits alongside § 93.10(A)'s broader rule that all outdoor burning is unlawful unless the fire pit or similar device is within an area approved by Building and Safety, the Fire Marshal, and Planning. An unlisted or unapproved fire pit is treated the same as any other illegal outdoor fire.
Violations & Fines
Using an unlisted or unapproved fire pit is treated as an unlawful outdoor fire under § 93.99: up to $200 for a first offense, rising to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail as a misdemeanor by the third.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Indio?
Can I use any fire pit I buy at a store?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
How Indio compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle fire pits & backyard fires.