Open burning of leaves, yard waste, and trash is prohibited in Galt. Agricultural burning on qualifying parcels outside the city is allowed only with a SMAQMD permit and on declared permissive burn days. Recreational wood fires are regulated separately.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) administers outdoor and agricultural burning for Galt and the rest of Sacramento County. Within the incorporated city, residential open burning of leaves, grass, yard trimmings, and household waste is banned year-round under SMAQMD Rule 407 and Galt Municipal Code fire provisions. Residents must use curbside green waste service for landscape debris. Agricultural burning of orchard prunings, rice straw, and other crop residues is allowed only on parcels that qualify as commercial agriculture, only with an SMAQMD ag burn permit, and only on days the District declares permissive-burn based on meteorological conditions. Burners must call the daily burn status line, maintain setbacks from structures and roadways, and have fire suppression tools on site. Cosumnes CSD Fire Department may also require a fire safety inspection. California Public Resources Code Section 4423 provides criminal penalties for unlawful burning during fire season.
SMAQMD Rule 407 violations can carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per day. PRC 4423 unlawful burning during fire season is a misdemeanor with fines and possible jail time.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle outdoor burning.
See how Galt's outdoor burning rules stack up against other locations.
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