Lodi, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Three layers of regulation control outdoor burning in and around Lodi. (1) Within city limits, Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 15.20 adopts the California Fire Code. CFC 307.1 prohibits any open burning except by permit from the fire code official, and CFC 304 requires removal (not on-site burning) of combustible waste material. Recreational fires under CFC 307.4 are allowed but burning of trash, garbage, leaves, or yard debris is not. (2) San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103 (Open Burning) regulates agricultural burning across the eight-county Valley including all of San Joaquin County. Phase-outs that began in 2005 have, by January 1, 2025, prohibited open burning of small orchard removals, vineyard removals, surface harvested prunings, plus all earlier-phased categories (most field crops, large orchard removals, weed abatement). Only a narrow list of remaining materials may be burned by permitted commercial farmers under District direction; weed-abatement burning must occur at the originating site and material may not be transported. (3) SJVAPCD Rule 4901 (Residential Wood Smoke Reduction) prohibits residential burning of wood, pellets, and manufactured logs (e.g., Duraflame) from midnight to midnight on declared 'No Burning For All' days from November 1 through end of February. There are three daily levels: Burning Discouraged, No Burning Unless Registered, and No Burning For All. Households with no natural-gas service or with wood as sole heat source are exempt; EPA-certified devices may be registered for limited use on 'No Burning Unless Registered' days. The District offers up to $5,000 through the Fireplace & Woodstove Change-Out Program.