Westminster, CA Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

The City of Westminster does not publish a dedicated fire-pit chapter in its municipal code. Instead, outdoor fire features fall under the California Fire Code, which Westminster adopts through Municipal Code Chapter 15.22 (Fire Code) and which the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) enforces for the city. Under the California Fire Code, recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces must use clean, dry firewood or an approved fuel; the code restricts open burning and requires that fires not create a hazard or be left unattended. Portable outdoor fireplaces in residential settings are generally kept a safe distance from structures and combustible materials, with a means of extinguishment nearby. Air-quality limits also apply: the South Coast Air Quality Management District regulates wood burning and issues "Check Before You Burn" no-burn advisories (typically November through February) when fine-particulate (PM2.5) pollution is high; on a no-burn day, burning wood in an outdoor fire pit or fireplace is prohibited district-wide. Because Westminster is a built-out urban city, smoke or odor that drifts onto neighbors can also be treated as a public nuisance under WMC Chapter 8.20. Gas-fueled fire features avoid most smoke restrictions but must still be installed and operated safely.