Lodi, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Lodi, 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
- General rule
- No outdoor burning within city limits
- Exceptions
- 5 listed purposes, each needs approval
- Approving authority
- Fire Code Official
- Enforcement
- Fire chief, marshal, inspectors, sworn staff
- Citation authority
- Penal Code Section 836.5
Summary
Lodi bans kindling or maintaining any outdoor burning citywide under an amended California Fire Code Section 307.1, allowing burns only for fire-hazard prevention, firefighting instruction, required backfires, hazard abatement, or pest control, each needing Fire Code Official approval.
A person shall not kindle or authorize to be kindled or maintain any outdoor burning within the limits of the City of Lodi, except that this section shall not prohibit those fires that are approved by the Fire Code Official for the following purposes: a.The prevention of a fire hazard that cannot be evaded by any other means.b.The instruction of public employees in the methods of fighting fire.c.The instruction of employees in the methods of fighting fire, when such fire is set, pursuant to permit, on property used for industrial purposes.d.The setting of backfires necessary to save life or valuable property pursuant to Section 4462 of the Public Resource Code.e.The abatement of fire hazards pursuant to Section 13055 of the Health and Safety Code.f.Disease or pest prevention, where there is an immediate need for and no reasonable alternative to burning.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
1 of the California Fire Code (2022 Edition) to state: "A person shall not kindle or authorize to be kindled or maintain any outdoor burning within the limits of the City of Lodi," then lists the only approved exceptions. Those are: preventing a fire hazard that cannot be evaded any other way; instructing public employees or other employees in firefighting methods (with a permit for the latter on industrial property); setting backfires necessary to save life or valuable property under Public Resources Code Section 4462; abating fire hazards under Health and Safety Code Section 13055; and disease or pest prevention where there is an immediate need with no reasonable alternative to burning.
Every listed exception still requires approval by the Fire Code Official. 020. The chapter as a whole (Ordinance No. 1972, adopted November 20, 2019, updated by Ordinance No. 2. 040.
Violations & Fines
Kindling or maintaining unapproved outdoor burning is enforced as a Fire Code violation citable by the fire chief, fire marshal, fire inspectors, sworn fire department members, or the city manager's designee under Penal Code Section 836.5 peace-officer citation authority. The California Fire Code as locally adopted carries its own penalty and enforcement terms, which Section 15.20.010 expressly incorporates "with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes as prescribed in this ordinance," and the city may pursue both citation and further code enforcement for repeated or ongoing unauthorized burns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is outdoor burning allowed in Lodi?
Can I burn brush or debris on my Lodi property?
Who enforces Lodi's outdoor burning ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lodi
How Lodi compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Lodi to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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