Pismo Beach, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 12.20.010 designates the whole of the publicly owned beach and ocean area within the city limits as a safety zone and play area, and § 12.20.060 bans any fire there, including preparing to start one. The exception covers portable barbecues used exclusively for food preparation, so a fire ring built for warmth or recreation falls under the ban. This page quotes only the beach rule because the code text searched prints no provision that names fire pits, fire rings or recreational fires on private property.

The beach chapter surrounds the fire ban with related limits. Section 12.20.050(F) bars smoking in the beach safety zone except for smoke from portable barbecues authorized under § 12.20.060 and for ceremonial, religious or educational purposes. Section 12.20.070 bans fireworks in the zone except as provided in § 8.08.040. Section 12.20.040 bans leaving garbage or debris except in the receptacles provided, and § 12.20.090 bans digging a hole, pit or excavation on the beach deeper than one foot unless a city building or other permit authorizes it, with any hole filled before the digger leaves.

Police officers, fire department personnel and lifeguards patrol the beach and enforce the chapter (§ 12.20.120), and the department of public works posts the prohibited activities (§ 12.20.200). Chapter 8.36 is a different rule: it governs barbecues that prepare food to sell to the general public, requiring a special event permit on public property and a barbecue permit on private property, with the barbecue at least ten feet from flammable structures or material, and § 8.36.100 exempts residential or backyard barbecues where no goods are sold.