Fire pit rules in Yolo County, CA — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Yolo County Code Section 7-1.02 adopts the California Fire Code by reference, including Section 307 governing open burning and recreational fires. Under California Fire Code Section 307.4.2, a recreational fire (fuel pile no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high) must be located at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material; portable outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet away under Section 307.4.3. The fire code official may order any open flame extinguished when it becomes a hazard.
Yolo County Code Title 7 Chapter 1 adopts the California Fire Code as the Fire Code of Yolo County, with County-specific amendments enumerated in Section 7-1.11. California Fire Code Section 307.4.2 defines a 'recreational fire' as 'an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.' CFC Section 307.4.2 requires recreational fires to be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. CFC Section 307.4.3 requires portable outdoor fireplaces (chimineas and similar) to be used only in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. CFC Section 308.1.4 authorizes the fire code official to order any open flame to be extinguished when it constitutes a hazard. Recreational fires using only dry seasoned firewood for warmth, cooking, or pleasure do not require a YSAQMD burn-day declaration, but they remain subject to fire-code-official authority to extinguish, and Cal Fire may impose blanket bans on open flames during Red Flag warnings in the State Responsibility Area (western Yolo County including the Capay Valley).
Violation of the adopted California Fire Code is enforceable through the County's nuisance-abatement and code-enforcement provisions. Under the default California Fire Code Section 110.4, a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The fire code official has independent authority under CFC Section 308.1.4 to order any open flame extinguished. Under California Health & Safety Code Section 13009, anyone whose negligent or unlawful fire requires suppression is liable for the full cost of fighting it.
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