Outdoor burning rules in Chino, 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.
Chino sits within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) basin, where SCAQMD Rule 444 prohibits virtually all open outdoor burning. Burning rubbish, leaves, yard waste, construction debris, or land-clearing material is banned year-round. Only narrow exemptions exist: code-compliant recreational fires (CFC §307.4.2), agricultural burning by special permit, prescribed fire by CVFD, and gas-fueled appliances. CVFD must issue an open-burning permit under CFC §105.6.30 for any allowed open burn.
South Coast AQMD Rule 444 (Open Burning) applies to the entire South Coast Air Basin, which includes Chino. The rule prohibits open outdoor fires — defined to include burning of refuse, leaves, paper, garbage, vegetation, or any combustible waste — without explicit SCAQMD authorization. Limited exemptions: (1) CFC §307.4.2 recreational fires (≤3 ft × 2 ft, seasoned wood only); (2) cooking fires in a barbecue or commercial appliance; (3) gas-fueled fire features (CFC Chapter 6); (4) agricultural burning under a permit issued during an SCAQMD-declared burn day; (5) prescribed/training fires conducted by a fire agency. California Fire Code §307.1 also generally prohibits open burning without a permit and authorizes the fire code official to revoke any permit when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make it hazardous. Chino Valley Fire District is the permitting authority under CFC §105.6.30 — any landowner who needs to burn agricultural waste, slash, or storm debris must apply through CVFD Community Risk Reduction (909-902-5280). Backyard burning of leaves, branches, or rubbish — common in older Chino dairy-era practice — has been illegal under SCAQMD Rule 444 since the rule's modern adoption; yard waste must instead be disposed via the city's franchise green-waste cart (Republic Services / city solid-waste contractor). Burn-day status (when any open burning is conditionally allowed) is published at aqmd.gov; most days in the Chino area are designated 'no-burn.'
Open burning without a CVFD permit violates CFC §307.1 and SCAQMD Rule 444. SCAQMD issues Notices of Violation that can carry civil penalties from $500 up to $10,000+ depending on circumstances under California Health & Safety Code §42400. CVFD can issue stop-orders and citations under CFC §109. A fire that escapes or causes damage may be charged under California Penal Code §452 (reckless burning) or §451 (arson).
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