Outdoor burning rules in Carson, 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.
Open burning of yard waste, trash, or construction debris is prohibited. Carson sits inside the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where SCAQMD Rule 444 bans most open outdoor fires, and the California Fire Code §307 (adopted via LA County Title 32) requires LACoFD permission for any non-recreational open fire.
South Coast AQMD Rule 444 prohibits open burning of any material in the South Coast Basin (which includes Carson) except for narrow agricultural, training, or ceremonial purposes with prior AQMD approval — there is no open-burning season for residential yard waste in this air basin. California Fire Code §307.1 also requires permission from the fire code official (LACoFD) before any open burning, bonfire, or ceremonial fire. Recreational fires under §307.4 (small wood fires ≤3 ft diameter × 2 ft tall, ≥25 ft from structures) are the only routinely allowed outdoor open flame for residences. Trash, leaves, painted/treated wood, plastics, rubber, and construction debris may never be burned (CFC §307.1.1). On Check Before You Burn no-burn days (Nov–Feb), even wood-burning fireplaces and recreational fires using wood are restricted under SCAQMD Rule 445. Burn-barrel use is universally prohibited.
SCAQMD enforces Rule 444/445 with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day (and higher for repeat violations) under Cal. HSC §42400. LACoFD can issue stop-work orders and citations under CFC §109; Carson administrative citations apply under CMC general penalty provisions.
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