Outdoor burning rules in Concord, 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 is prohibited in Concord under Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) regulations and BAAQMD Regulation 5. No residential yard-waste, leaf, or debris burning is permitted within the city limits at any time of year.
Concord lies within the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) jurisdiction, which enforces the California Fire Code as locally amended. Open burning of leaves, brush, yard waste, or construction debris is prohibited within Concord city limits year-round. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 5 further restricts open burning across all nine Bay Area counties, and BAAQMD Rule 3 prohibits the burning of garbage, tires, plastics, and painted/treated wood at all times. Small cooking fires in approved appliances (barbecues, gas grills, portable patio heaters) and ceremonial fires with specific permits are exceptions. During declared Spare the Air Alerts (typically November through February), even wood-burning in indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits is prohibited under BAAQMD Regulation 6, Rule 3. Violations of the open burning prohibition can result in citations from ConFire, BAAQMD fines starting at $100 for first offenses and escalating to $500+ for repeat violations, and potential misdemeanor charges under California Public Resources Code §4423 during fire season carrying up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle outdoor burning.
See how Concord's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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