San Diego County, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in San Diego 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
- Applies to
- Unincorporated San Diego County
- Attendance
- Adult must attend fire at all times
- Extinguisher
- Minimum 4-A rated, or equivalent
- Code section
- County Fire Code § 96.1.307.5
Summary
In unincorporated San Diego County, open burning, bonfires, recreational fires, and portable outdoor fireplaces must have an adult in constant attendance until fully extinguished, with an approved fire extinguisher or other suppression equipment on site the whole time.
Sec. 307.5 Attendance. Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and the use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended by an adult until the fire is extinguished. Not fewer than one portable fire extinguisher complying with section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization. (Added by Ord. No. 9915 (N.S.), effective 1-30-08; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10337 (N.S.), effective 6-19-14; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10465 (N.S.), effective 4-14-17; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10659 (N.S.), effective 3-26-20; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10833 (N.S.), effective 4-13-23; repealed and reenacted by Ord. No. 10976 (N.S.), effective
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
San Diego County's Fire Code revises California Fire Code Section 307.5 to require constant adult attendance for any open burning, bonfire, recreational fire, or portable outdoor fireplace in the unincorporated area, from ignition until the fire is fully extinguished. At least one portable fire extinguisher rated 4-A or better, or other approved suppression equipment such as dirt, sand, a water barrel, garden hose, or water truck, must be on site and ready for immediate use throughout the burn.
Violations & Fines
Violating the County Fire Code is unlawful under Sec. 113.4: the fire code official can order the burn stopped, and property owners are responsible for correcting the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply within the City of San Diego?
What counts as adequate fire-extinguishing equipment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
How San Diego County compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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