Outdoor burning rules in Fontana, 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 leaves, yard waste, and trash is banned in Fontana under SCAQMD Rule 444. Only small recreational campfires, grills, and gas fires are allowed, subject to Rule 445 no-burn days.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District governs open burning across the Inland Empire, and Fontana is entirely within its jurisdiction. SCAQMD Rule 444 prohibits open outdoor fires of any kind (land clearing, agricultural residue, leaf piles, construction debris) except for narrow agricultural and fire-training exceptions that require prior SCAQMD permits. The California Fire Code, adopted by Fontana under Municipal Code Title 15, separately bans burning of rubbish, household trash, and yard waste within city limits. Recreational fires - small campfires, barbecue grills, portable outdoor fireplaces, and chiminea fires fueled with clean wood or manufactured logs - are allowed, but only with 10-foot structure clearance, adult supervision, and an extinguishing source readily available. SCAQMD Rule 445 further bans wood burning in any indoor fireplace or outdoor wood-burning device on no-burn days during the November-through-February Check Before You Burn season; homes that use wood as their sole source of heat may qualify for an exemption. Gas-fueled fire features are always permitted. Violations of open burning rules can draw citations from SBCoFD, SCAQMD inspectors, and Fontana Code Enforcement, with SCAQMD administrative fines reaching several thousand dollars per incident. Property owners are strictly liable if burning ignites a wildland fire.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle outdoor burning.
See how Fontana's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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