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

Section 307.6 of the Placentia Fire Code, added by § 18.04.050, covers outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings and similar exterior devices used at Group R occupancies in the City of Placentia. Barbeques, grills and other portable devices intended solely for cooking are excepted from the section.

Gas-fueled devices (Section 307.6.1): devices fueled by natural gas or liquefied-petroleum gas are allowed when approved by the Building Department and designed to burn only a gas flame, not wood or other solid fuel. At R-3 occupancies, combustible construction and vegetation shall not be located within three feet of an atmospheric column that extends vertically from the perimeter of the device. At other R occupancies the minimum distance is ten feet. Where a permanent Building Department approved hood and vent is installed, combustible construction can encroach on that column between the bottom of the hood and the vent opening. Any chimney or vent needs a spark arrester as defined in Section 202.

Wood and other solid fuel (Section 307.6.2): permanent outdoor fireplaces burning wood or solid fuel are built under the California Building Code, with fires contained in a firebox with an attached chimney and a maintained method of arresting sparks across the firebox opening. Burning in a device is not allowed within 25 feet of combustible structures unless it is in an approved permanent fireplace, and conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure or to vegetation must be eliminated before ignition. Two exceptions follow: portable fireplaces and fire rings or pits equipped with a device to arrest sparks sit at least 3 feet from combustible construction at R-3 occupancies, and at least 15 feet from combustible structures at other R occupancies.

Section 307.6.2.1 separately bans burning wood and solid fuels inside a fuel modification zone, Wildfire Risk Area or Wildland-Urban Interface Area. The fire code official is the chief of the Placentia fire and life safety department or a designee (§ 18.04.040).