Pleasanton, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Pleasanton adopts the California Fire Code under PMC Chapter 20.24 and the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code under PMC Chapter 20.22; neither chapter lists an amendment deleting the base Fire Code recreational-fire provisions (CFC Section 307). Under the statewide code, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces are generally permitted but must not be conducted in a manner that creates a hazard. The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department adjusts open-flame rules by daily fire-danger level (Low through Extreme); during High and Very High fire danger, use of open-flame devices such as BBQs and fire pits is restricted to designated areas in open space and parks, and these warnings tighten further on Red Flag Warning days. Air quality is the more binding constraint at most homes: BAAQMD Regulation 6, Rule 3 makes it illegal to use any wood-burning device, including outdoor fire pits and chimineas, on any day a Spare the Air Alert is in effect (roughly 20+ winter days per year, plus wildfire-smoke days). Burning garbage, plastics, or other toxic materials is always prohibited. Gas or propane fire features avoid the wood-smoke ban. Always check the current Pleasanton fire-danger level and Spare the Air status before lighting a fire.