Fire pit rules in San Diego County, CA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Backyard fire pits and portable outdoor fireplaces are allowed in unincorporated San Diego County but regulated by the Consolidated Fire Code. Recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from structures; portable fireplaces 15 feet. Fires must be constantly attended with extinguishing equipment ready, and may be banned on high fire-danger days.
Backyard fire pits are permitted in unincorporated San Diego County but must follow the County Consolidated Fire Code (which adopts the California Fire Code with amendments). Under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2, a recreational fire must not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, and conditions that could spread fire within 25 feet must be eliminated before ignition; a recreational fire is limited to a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. The County's own Sec. 96.1.307.4.3 requires that portable outdoor fireplaces be used per the manufacturer's instructions and not operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material; warming fires at one- and two-family dwellings must have a spark arrester of 1/4-inch mesh or smaller. Sec. 96.1.307.5 (Attendance) requires that open burning, bonfires, recreational fires, and portable outdoor fireplaces be constantly attended by an adult until extinguished, with at least one 4-A rated fire extinguisher or other on-site equipment (dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck) available for immediate use. Because much of the County is a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the local fire district or CAL FIRE may suspend recreational fires entirely during Red Flag or high fire-danger conditions.
Violating the County Fire Code is a misdemeanor; each day a violation continues is a separate offense (Sec. 109.3). An unattended or out-of-compliance fire may be ordered extinguished, and a responsible party who negligently starts a wildfire can be billed for suppression costs under Health & Safety Code section 13000 et seq.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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