Monterey Park, CA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Monterey Park, 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
- Permit required from
- Fire Chief or designee
- Attendance rule
- At least one adult with extinguishing tools
- Wind rule
- No burning in any appreciable wind
- Fire size
- One small, readily controlled pile
- Burn-ban authority
- Fire Chief may prohibit all burning anytime
- Liability
- Permit holder responsible for resulting damage
Summary
Open-air fires, land-clearing burns and outdoor rubbish or bonfire burning are unlawful anywhere in the City of Monterey Park without a written Fire Chief permit, under Fire Code Section 307.1 as locally amended. Permit holders must keep the fire in one small controlled pile, staff it with an adult and extinguishing tools, and stop burning in any appreciable wind.
307.1 Bonfires, Weed Abatement, Religious Burning, and Outdoor Rubbish Fires. No person may build, light, maintain, or cause or permit to be built, lighted or maintained, any open or outdoor fire; use, or cause or permit to be used, any fire for clearing land; burn or cause or permit to be burned, any brush, trash, rubbish, stubble, or other flammable or combustible material, unless he complies with the regulations set forth in this section as follows: 1. Applicant must first secure from the Fire Chief, or designee, a written permit for such burning. ... ... 3. The Fire Chief may prohibit any or all outdoor fires or burning at any time he/she deems that atmospheric conditions or local circumstances will make such a fire hazardous.
Full Breakdown
Section 17.02.080 amends California Fire Code Section 307.1 to ban bonfires, weed-abatement burns, religious burning and outdoor rubbish fires citywide unless the operator first secures a written permit from the fire chief or a designee. A permit holder must keep every fire in one small, readily controlled pile or area and station at least one adult in attendance for the entire burn, equipped with water, a garden hose, shovels or other extinguishing tools. Burning is allowed only at a safe distance from structures and other combustible material, and it is banned outright whenever there is any appreciable wind.
After the burn, the operator must extinguish all embers and thoroughly wet down the hot ashes. Accepting a burn permit is itself an agreement that the holder is responsible for any damage the fire causes. Beyond the individual permit rules, the fire chief holds standing authority to prohibit any or all outdoor fires or burning citywide at any time atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such a fire hazardous, functioning as a local burn-ban power layered on top of the permit system.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 17.02.080 sets no dedicated fine, an unpermitted or noncompliant burn falls under the Municipal Code's general penalty in Section 4.10.020: a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of an ongoing violation a separate offense. A permit holder is also contractually liable for all damage the fire causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard in Monterey Park?
What safety steps does a permit require?
Can the city ban all outdoor burning temporarily?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey Park
How Monterey Park compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey Park to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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Outdoor Burning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle outdoor burning.