Lodi, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Lodi, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Allowed fuel
- Clear dry wood or charcoal only
- Container
- Approved fireplace or barbecue pit
- Timing condition
- Must be a permissive burn day
- Approving authority
- Fire Code Official
- Sky lanterns
- Banned outright, Sec. 15.20.065
Summary
Lodi allows outdoor cooking and recreational fires in an approved fireplace or barbecue pit despite the general open-burning ban, but only with clear dry wood or charcoal, in a Fire Code Official-approved area, and only on a permissive burn day.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting open outdoor fires used only for cooking food for human consumption where such use is accomplished in an approved fireplace or barbecue pit, or for recreational purposes in areas approved by the Fire Code Official, provided that the combustible is clear dry wood or charcoal and it is a permissive burn day. Approval shall be in accordance with Sections 307.1.1—307.5 of the California Fire Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
1 of the California Fire Code to set Lodi's open-burning rule. " That means a backyard fire pit or barbecue used strictly for cooking, or a recreational fire in a Fire Code Official-approved area, does not need the special-purpose approvals other outdoor burning requires, as long as three conditions all hold: the fire is in an approved fireplace or barbecue pit (or approved recreational area), the fuel is clear dry wood or charcoal (not trash, treated lumber, or other debris), and the local air district has declared it a permissive burn day.
5 of the California Fire Code. 065 bans releasing any untethered sky lantern, an open-flame device meant to become airborne, showing the same chapter treats open flame outdoors narrowly even for recreational uses.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 307.1 as amended treats a compliant cooking or recreational fire as outside the open-burning prohibition, no permit or citation applies to a fire that meets all three conditions. A fire that uses improper fuel, sits outside an approved fireplace, barbecue pit, or approved area, or burns on a non-permissive day falls back into the general prohibition and is enforceable the same as any unlawful outdoor burn, by the fire chief, fire marshal, fire inspectors, and sworn fire department members under Section 15.20.020, who may issue citations under Penal Code Section 836.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Lodi?
Does Lodi require a permit for a recreational backyard fire?
Are sky lanterns legal in Lodi?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lodi
How Lodi compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Lodi to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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