Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Fire pit rules in Ventura County, CA, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.

Key Facts

Where allowed
County-designated fire areas only
Covers
Fire pits, fire rings, grills, stoves
Cleanup duty
Extinguish/cover embers after use
Applies to
County Parks, not private yards

Summary

Fire pits, fire rings and barbecue grills are allowed only in County-designated areas of Ventura County parks; open ground fires anywhere else in a park are illegal.

City-specific rules exist: Ventura has its own fire pits & backyard fires rules that differ from Ventura County's county-level regulations. If you live in Ventura, check the city-specific page instead.

No person shall ignite or kindle a fire in any location in a County Park except in areas designated by the County for fires.

(a)No person shall allow any lighted tobacco product, or any burning or combustible material that could set fire to grass, shrub, trees, building or any other combustible substance to be deposited any place except areas designated for disposal of burning or combustible materials.(b)No person shall ignite or kindle a fire for cooking, including, but not limited to fires for barbecue grills, stoves, fire pits, and fire rings, except in areas designated for such use by the County.(c)No person using a barbecue grill or stove shall permit such grill or stove to remain in an untidy or unsanitary condition, nor shall any such person fail to clear away all cooking and eating utensils and waste matter after use thereof. Any person who uses a barbecue grill or stove shall, when such use is completed, extinguish or cover the embers in such a manner to prevent them from being a hazard.(d)The Director or his designee may prohibit fires in areas otherwise designated for fires if, in his sole discretion, public safety, weather conditions or other concerns necessitate such a temporary prohibition. (Ord. No. 4600, § 1, 5-10-2022)

Source: VCAPCD - Burn InformationView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).

Full Breakdown

Ordinance Code § 6307-3 confines cooking fires, including barbecue grills, stoves, fire pits and fire rings, to spots the County designates for that use inside County Parks. Users must clear utensils and extinguish or cover embers when done, and the Director can suspend fire use anywhere in the park for safety or weather. This governs park fire pits only, not backyard fire pits on private property.

Violations & Fines

Igniting a fire pit or grill outside a designated area is a misdemeanor or infraction under § 6301-1, fined $45 per § 6303-7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a portable fire pit to a Ventura County park?
Only if you use it in an area the County has designated for fires; elsewhere in the park it's prohibited under § 6307-3.
Does § 6307-3 regulate backyard fire pits?
No -- it only governs fires inside County Parks, not fire pits on private residential property in unincorporated areas.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ventura County

All Ventura County rules

How Ventura County compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview

Get notified when Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Ventura County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires in Cities Across Ventura County