Antioch, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Antioch, CA, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Fire authority
- Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD)
- Permits available
- Recreational/Bonfire and Religious Service burn permits
- Air-quality rule
- BAAQMD Reg 6-3 wood-burn ban on Spare the Air days
- Adopted code
- California Fire Code via AMC Chapter 8-15
Summary
Open burning in Antioch is regulated by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CCCFPD), which is the fire authority for Antioch. CCCFPD issues two limited permit types - Recreational/Bonfire and Religious Service - and otherwise prohibits open burning. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 6, Rule 3 separately bans wood burning on declared Spare the Air winter days.
The Code Enforcement Unit ensures compliance with The California Fire Code (CFC), Title 19 - California Code of Regulations, The California Health and Safety Code... Operational permits are required for: Open burning; Open flames and torches; Firework aerial displays; Pyrotechnic special effects materials.
Full Breakdown
CCCFPD enforces the California Fire Code as adopted by Antioch Municipal Code Chapter 8-15 and CCCFPD Ordinance 2019-37. Operational permits are required for 'open burning,' 'open flames and torches,' 'firework aerial displays,' and 'pyrotechnic special effects materials.' Outside of permitted recreational fires (see backyard-fires subcategory), residential trash burning, leaf burning, and land-clearing burns are not permitted in Antioch. Separately, Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 6, Rule 3 makes it illegal to burn wood (in fireplaces, woodstoves, pellet stoves, fire pits, or outdoor fireplaces) any time a winter Spare the Air alert is in effect - the threshold is forecast PM2.5 of 25 ug/m^3. Cal Fire and CCCFPD may also declare red-flag day burn bans on top of the BAAQMD rule.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted open burning is a violation of the adopted California Fire Code (a misdemeanor or infraction under CFC Chapter 1) and can trigger CCCFPD cost recovery for any fire response. BAAQMD Spare the Air burn-day violations carry an administrative penalty starting around $100 for a first offense (or a wood-smoke awareness class) and escalating for repeat offenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste or leaves at my Antioch home?
What is a Spare the Air day?
How do I get a burn permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Antioch
How Antioch compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Antioch to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle outdoor burning.