Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Placer County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Outdoor burning rules in Placer County, 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.

Key Facts

Authority
Placer County APCD
Burn Days
Permissive burn days only
Burn-Day Line
530-889-6868 / 800-998-BURN
APCD Permit
Required for non-ag burning
Banned Materials
Trash, plastics, treated wood, lawn clippings
APCD Phone
530-745-2330

Summary

Outdoor burning in unincorporated Placer County is governed by the Placer County Air Pollution Control District. Burning is allowed only on permissive burn days in areas that allow it. Non-agricultural burning (land clearing, fire-hazard reduction, etc.) requires an APCD year-round burn permit, and a fire-agency burn permit may also be needed.

City-specific rules exist: Roseville has its own outdoor burning rules that differ from Placer County's county-level regulations. If you live in Roseville, check the city-specific page instead.

All burn piles must have a minimum 10-foot clearance to bare mineral soil in every direction, piles should be no larger than 4 feet in diameter, and you must have a shovel and an adequate water source on hand, with an adult always present during burning.

Full Breakdown

All outdoor burning in unincorporated Placer County is regulated by the Placer County APCD, and burning is permitted only on designated 'permissive burn days' and only in areas of the county where burning is allowed. Residents must check burn-day status each day by calling 530-889-6868 (or 800-998-BURN) or the online burn-day information before igniting. Non-agricultural open burning, clearing land for development, fire-hazard reduction, forestry work, levee/ditch/right-of-way and reservoir burning, prescribed burning, and range improvement, requires a year-round APCD burn permit; burning without a required permit is illegal and subject to enforcement.

A separate CAL FIRE or local fire-agency burn permit may also be required depending on location and time of year. General waste, paper, cardboard, trash, plastics, rubber, treated wood, and construction/demolition debris, may not be burned under any circumstances, and lawn clippings and cannabis are likewise prohibited. The county Unit Chief implements a burn ban when weather conditions warrant, and many denser developments have burning restricted entirely through CC&Rs or land-use permits.

Violations & Fines

Burning without a required APCD permit, burning on a no-burn day, or burning prohibited materials is illegal and can trigger APCD enforcement action and penalties. Fire agencies can issue separate citations and recover suppression costs for escaped fires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn yard waste anytime in unincorporated Placer County?
No. Burning is allowed only on permissive burn days in areas that allow burning. Check the burn-day status each day at 530-889-6868 before lighting any outdoor fire.
Is a permit required to burn?
Non-agricultural burning (land clearing, fire-hazard reduction, etc.) requires a year-round APCD burn permit, and a fire-agency burn permit may also be needed. Residential burning may not need an APCD permit but still requires a fire-agency permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Placer County

All Placer County rules

How Placer County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Placer County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview

Get notified when Outdoor Burning in Placer County, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Outdoor Burning in Cities Across Placer County