Outdoor burning rules in Fullerton, 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 vegetation, yard waste, and trash is effectively prohibited in Fullerton under South Coast AQMD Rule 444 and Fullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150. Only contained recreational fires meeting fuel, distance, supervision, and wind conditions are allowed, and SCAQMD no-burn alerts override even those.
Fullerton lies entirely within the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where Rule 444 (Open Burning) bars open burning of vegetation, waste, construction debris, and similar materials throughout the South Coast Air Basin without an SCAQMD permit and an active 'burn day' authorization. Locally, Fullerton Municipal Code § 13.20.150 (an amendment to the 2019/2022 California Fire Code adopted under Chapter 13.20) prohibits outdoor open and recreational fires when sustained winds exceed 8 MPH, when a red flag warning has been declared, when a public no-burn announcement is in effect, or when no adult attendant or water source is available. Recreational fires in the city's fuel modification area must not use wood or solid fuel. SCAQMD also routinely declares 'no-burn alerts' November through February for the entire South Coast Air Basin, banning all residential wood burning citywide. Permitted public fireworks displays and Fire-Chief-authorized burns (such as training burns or controlled fuel reduction) remain available under FMC Chapter 7.26 (fireworks permits) and § 13.20.150's exceptions.
SCAQMD can issue notices of violation and civil penalties for illegal open burning, which can exceed $1,000 per violation. Fullerton Fire Department can issue municipal-code citations under FMC Title 13. Escape of a fire can also trigger civil liability for suppression costs under California Health & Safety Code § 13009 and Public Resources Code § 4435.
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