Outdoor burning rules in Berkeley, 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.
Berkeley bans all outdoor burning of vegetation, yard waste, and debris. BAAQMD and BMC 9.24 prohibit open burning citywide; no burn permits are issued for residential properties.
Under Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 9.24 and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 5, all outdoor burning of leaves, yard waste, brush, construction debris, and trash is prohibited within Berkeley city limits year-round. Unlike rural CAL FIRE jurisdictions, Berkeley does not offer burn permits, and even agricultural burning is not allowed. Violators face BAAQMD fines up to 10,000 dollars per day plus BFD enforcement under CFC Section 307. The prohibition exists because Berkeley is wholly inside the Bay Area air basin (a federal non-attainment zone for ozone and PM2.5) and because the Berkeley Hills VHFHSZ makes any spark dangerous. Residents must use the city green waste cart for organic debris (collected weekly), drop larger loads at the Berkeley Transfer Station, or take advantage of annual chipper days in fire zones. Recreational cooking fires in approved gas grills are exempt. Report illegal burning to BFD at (510) 981-2489 or BAAQMD at 1-800-334-ODOR.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle outdoor burning.
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