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

Vacaville's Fire Code amendment at Section 15.20.271.040(H) starts from a citywide ban on igniting or maintaining any fire, including recreational fires, under CFC Section 307.1.2. Exception 2 to that same section then carves out the fire pit allowance: "Fires properly contained in a barbecue pit, barbecue grill, approved outdoor fire pit, or approved outdoor fireplace when located in lawfully occupied premises or designated campsites with an approved metal screen/spark arrestor placed over the fire to keep embers from becoming airborne."

Three conditions have to be met at once for a residential fire pit to be lawful under this exception: the fire has to be properly contained within the pit, grill, or fireplace equipment itself; the equipment has to sit on a lawfully occupied premises or a designated campsite; and the fire must have an approved metal screen or spark arrestor over it so embers cannot become airborne. The code does not set a numeric setback distance or size limit for residential fire pits in this section; it relies instead on the equipment being "approved" and properly used. A separate exception covers picnic stoves, braziers, and fire pits the city itself provides at parks and playgrounds, which are lawful without the spark-arrestor condition because the city controls their placement and design.

Because this is an exception to Section 307.1.2 rather than a standalone permit chapter, the Fire Chief retains authority to act case by case: Section 15.20.271.040 lets the Fire Chief order abatement of any fire hazard, including an improperly screened or unsafely located fire pit, under the same immediate-abatement powers used for illegal open burning.