Outdoor burning rules in Chico, 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, vegetation, debris and similar material is prohibited inside Chico city limits year-round, regardless of lot size or burn-day status. The rule is enforced by the Butte County Air Quality Management District (BCAQMD) under its Outdoor Residential Burning rule and by Chico Fire under CMC Ch. 16R.42 (which adopts the California Fire Code). Recreational fires, cooking fires and exempt devices listed in CMC 16R.42.070 (BBQs, fireplaces, gas heating) are still allowed if attended and CFC-compliant. In Chico's unincorporated 'sphere of influence,' residential burning is allowed only on lots of at least 0.90 acre, only on a declared permissive 'burn day,' and only between 8:45 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
BCAQMD Outdoor Residential Burning rule — 'Burning is always prohibited, regardless of lot size, within the Chico city limits.' In the Chico Sphere of Influence (unincorporated areas), open burning is permitted only on lots ≥ 0.90 acre, only when BCAQMD has declared the day a permissive burn day (status line 530-332-9407 or bcaqmd.org). Permitted hours 8:45 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Effective Nov 7, 2025 the local FD lifted the residential dooryard burn-permit requirement; CAL FIRE burn permits are required again starting May 1 each year. Inside the city, the only legal outdoor fire categories are those exempt under CMC 16R.42.070: BBQ/cooking devices, indoor or outdoor fireplaces, natural-gas or LP-gas/wood residential heaters, sewer-plant gas, and tar-pots used in construction. Any other open burn (e.g. burn pile, ag-waste, leaf burn) inside city limits is a violation of both BCAQMD rules and the California Fire Code as adopted in CMC 16R.42.010.
BCAQMD administrative fines starting at $500 and escalating; Chico FD response cost-recovery; CMC 1.16 misdemeanor citation for continuing violations of CMC 16R.42. CAL FIRE PRC §4421/4423 reckless-burning charges if escape occurs.
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