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

Santa Rosa regulates fire pits primarily through (1) the adopted California Fire Code at City Code Chapter 18-44 and (2) the Short-Term Rental Ordinance (ORD-2021-011) for rental properties. For non-hosted short-term rentals, outdoor burning is 'limited to outdoor firepits, fireplaces, barbeques/grills and heaters that generate an open flame through the use of a single five-gallon cylinder of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or are fed by natural gas,' and these must be at least 10 feet from combustible vegetation and overhanging tree limbs. Wood-fueled fire pits are not allowed at non-hosted STRs.

For owner-occupied residences, the California Fire Code Section 307 (adopted by reference in Ch. 18-44) governs: a 'recreational fire' is limited to a fuel area no greater than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height; the fire must be 25 feet or more from any structure or combustible material (or 15 feet for a portable outdoor fireplace); an attendant must be present at all times; and a means of extinguishment (water hose, fire extinguisher, or other approved device) must be on site. Because approximately 30% of Santa Rosa is in the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area, the Fire Code Official may further restrict or prohibit recreational fires during elevated fire weather, Red Flag Warnings, or declared wildfire season.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District 'Spare the Air' rule may also prohibit visible wood smoke on no-burn days, which applies to backyard wood fire pits.