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

10 adopts the 2025 California Fire Code and then amends specific sections for Ventura. 36 requires an operational permit for kindling or maintaining an open fire, open burning, recreational fire or portable outdoor fireplace, or any fire on a public street, alley, road or other public or private ground, with the express exception that recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces kept on private property do not need that permit. 1 separately authorizes the fire code official to prohibit all open burning, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplace use, without regard to the private-property exception, whenever atmospheric conditions raise fire risk, expressly naming red flag warning days and anticipated high wind events as triggers, and it independently bans burning household rubbish or trash outright.

3 backs that authority with an extinguishment power: if an open burn, recreational fire or portable fireplace use becomes hazardous, violates the code, or was never permitted where a permit was required, the fire code official can order the fire extinguished on the spot. 3, with a narrow religious or cultural ceremony exception that still requires the lantern to be tethered and constantly attended.